Following a huge win in front of a long list of big-time prospects on Saturday over top-10 Texas A&M, national recruiting analysts began writing headlines that included phrases like “South Carolina sizzling” and “South Carolina football recruiting is hot.” Those headlines proved to be correct as, on Tuesday, in-state linebacker Josh Smith announced his commitment to the Gamecocks.

He made his announcement on social media with the simple caption, “I’m home.”

Smith, a 3-star prospect from Dutch Fork High School in Irmo who previously had been pledged to Coastal Carolina, picked South Carolina over recent pushes from NC State and Ole Miss. The Wolfpack had Smith on campus previously and seemed to be the Gamecocks’ primary competition for his services.

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Smith’s commitment comes on the heels of an official visit to USC. The athletic linebacker was in attendance for South Carolina’s huge win over Texas A&M.

He recently told GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark that the visit made quite the impression. “Man, the atmosphere was out of this world. The fans are extremely passionate about this football team and they showed up and showed out. And the defense played lights out, per usual.”

However, it wasn’t just Williams-Brice Stadium that left the local product impressed during his time on campus. Said Smith, “From the game day to all the meetings that I was in, talking to Coach White, talking ball. Things like that just made the visit worthwhile.”

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Being from the Palmetto State, Smith understands the coaching staff’s vision of locking down the state. “[Coach Beamer] wants to continue to build this program with guys that are from the state, the best players in the state, especially in Columbia.” He is the 10th player from South Carolina committed this cycle and also the second from the Columbia area.

Ranked as the No. 11 in-state prospect and No. 43 linebacker recruit in the land, Smith is a big get. Thanks to both a position change (EDGE to linebacker) and his late-rising status, the recruiting industry underrates him. While he still has plenty of pass rush juice, South Carolina’s coaching staff is recruiting Smith as a linebacker. He is one of several hybrid EDGE/linebacker players in the class.

With his commitment, Smith is the 21st public pledge in the 2025 South Carolina football recruiting class. There also is at least one unannounced #WelcomeHome from Shane Beamer still floating out there, however. Smith’s pledge is the second in as many days as class of 2026 defensive back Peyton Dyer committed on Monday.

As things stand, South Carolina is 20th in On3’s team recruiting rankings but could move up a spot or two once On3 processes Smith’s commitment. Both the Washington Huskies (19th) and Ole Miss Rebels (18th) are within striking distance. The Gamecocks are 11th in the SEC but would move to 10th if Smith’s decision pushes them past the Rebels.