All-American LB Stone Blanton commits to South Carolina
Madison (Miss.) Madison Ridgeland Academy class of 2022 three-star linebacker Stone Blanton has long talked about his comfort level with the South Carolina staff.
Those relationships paid off Monday morning when the priority South Carolina target announced his commitment to the Gamecocks during a ceremony at his school.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Blanton, who was recruited to Carolina by defensive coordinator Clayton White, chooses the Gamecocks over finalists Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
The dual-sport athlete has been committed to the Mississippi State baseball program since January of 2020, but his football recruitment has seemed to take precedent in the last year or so.
Blanton, ranked the No. 13 inside linebacker in the country, took an official visit to South Carolina in the summer and returned to Columbia for the Gamecocks' final game of the season against Clemson.
White took an in-home visit to meet with Blanton and his family two weeks ago before returning to Mississippi along with head coach Shane Beamer last week for a visit to Blanton's high school.
While many have assumed Blanton would ultimately stay in Mississippi, he's taken an open-minded approach to the process with Carolina's relationships with him playing a big factor.
An incredibly productive player, the Under Armour All-American collected 125 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior.
Blanton, ranked the No. 17 prospect in the state of Mississippi, is South Carolina's 20th commit to the 2022 class. Blanton has long planned to play both football and baseball in college.
He will sign with the Gamecocks on Wednesday.
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