The final uncommitted Top-10 prospect in North Carolina’s Class of 2027 has come off the board. Four-star Hough High defensive back Davion Jones announced his commitment to South Carolina on Thursday during a live 247Sports YouTube broadcast.
Jones joins fellow four-star Hough teammate Joshua Dobson, who committed to South Carolina on Wednesday, and Seventy-First defensive lineman John Archer as part of Shane Beamer’s growing 2027 class at South Carolina, now 15 strong.
Jones had more than two dozen offers coming into Wednesday and featured a top four that also included Georgia, Auburn and LSU. Indiana also made a late push.
Like Dobson, Jones transferred to Hough High following the 2025 season and will suit up for the reigning NCHSAA 8A state champions this fall. Jones intercepted four passes for West Charlotte last season. He was part of West Charlotte’s 3A state title run in 2024, picking off seven passes and recording 68 total tackles.
So excited for my last high school, can’t wait to display what I’ve improved physically and mentally during the offseason!@coach_mal @CoachKelich @QBCoachJenkins @IAMCOACHWILSON pic.twitter.com/8H8tpPCHkg — Davion Jones (@davion_jones2) July 3, 2026
Hough High now has seven Division I commitments from its Class of 2027. Also making college announcements earlier this summer:
- Moreno Fisher Jr., OL → Virginia
- Ethan Royal, QB → Marshall
- Nori White, OL → James Madison
- Jackson Heath, SAF → Army
- Sincere Daye, DB → Campbell
Beamer and South Carolina’s recruiting success in North Carolina didn’t just begin with this 2027 class.
The Gamecocks plucked four elite players from North Carolina’s high school ranks with its 2026 class. Weddington defensive lineman Aiden Harris and Jordan defensive lineman Noah Clark, both were top 10 prospects by 247Sports. Grimsley cornerback Kosci Barnes was ranked 11th, and Weddington linebacker Andrew Harris was 23rd.
Former Havelock linebacker Donovan Darden was the highest ranked signee in South Carolina’s 2025 class. He was the No. 4 player from North Carolina that year. The state’s No. 8 player, wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr,, and the No. 19 player, Vance County’s Taeshawn Alston, also inked with the Gamecocks.
South Carolina has recruited North Carolina well for years, but the early returns from the Class of 2027 may represent Shane Beamer’s strongest haul yet. With commitments from Dobson, Jones and Archer, the Gamecocks have secured pledges from three of 247Sports’ top seven players in the state before the start of their senior seasons.
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