James Ross, a three‑star offensive lineman from Ridge View High School, announced his commitment to the University of South Carolina on Wednesday, securing a spot in the Gamecocks' 2027 recruiting class.
A local prospect's impact
Ross is the only South Carolina native among the ten prospects slated to join the class, giving the Gamecocks a home‑grown anchor on the interior line.
Ranked No. 18 within the state and inside the Top 65 interior offensive linemen nationally, Ross brought a suite of offers from Appalachian State, Cincinnati, Rutgers and the University of North Carolina before making his decision.
His addition brings the offensive line commitments to four, joining Will Endicott, Jaxon Elston and Clayton Lee, a group the coaching staff hopes will solidify the trenches early in the recruiting cycle.
Despite the new pledge, the Gamecocks' 2027 class remains positioned at No. 67 in the 247 Sports composite rankings, a spot that reflects both the talent influx and the competitive nature of the SEC recruiting landscape.
The commitment underscores South Carolina's continued effort to retain in‑state talent while expanding its reach across the Southeast, a strategy that could shape the program's depth chart for the next several seasons.