Thursday Insider: South Carolina Football Lands a Historical WR Recruit, Sooners Five-Star Flips Commitment to South Carolina Over Notre Dame and Texas Longhorns; This One Is Very Significant Because of the History He Has With…
In what may go down as one of the most monumental recruiting flips in recent memory, South Carolina Football has landed a five-star wide receiver who previously pledged to the Oklahoma Sooners, stunning both Notre Dame and Texas in the process. The significance of this move stretches beyond rankings or star ratings—this is about history, relationships, and the evolving identity of a program that’s clearly on the rise.
The recruit in question, Jeremiah “Jet” Thompson, is a generational talent at wide receiver—6-foot-2, blazing speed, elite route running, and physical dominance at the point of the catch. Rated as the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2025 class by major recruiting services, Thompson originally committed to Oklahoma last summer, citing Lincoln Riley’s former offensive system and a longstanding relationship with Sooners wideout coach Jayden Daniels (no relation to the quarterback). However, a dramatic shift began brewing when South Carolina quietly entered the race during the fall of 2024.
What makes this flip even more historic isn’t just Thompson’s ranking—it’s the story behind it.
Thompson has deep roots in South Carolina. His late grandfather, Charles “Chuck” Thompson, was a standout player for the Gamecocks in the 1970s and remained a major figure in the Columbia football community until his passing in 2021. Chuck was known for advocating heavily for youth sports in the state and always dreamed of seeing his grandson wear garnet and black. Jeremiah has spoken openly about the influence his grandfather had on his football journey, and sources close to the family say that emotional tie weighed heavily in his final decision.
After an official visit to Columbia in early April, Jeremiah reportedly told South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, “I think it’s time to come home.” The Gamecocks staff wasted no time rolling out the red carpet, introducing him to former South Carolina greats, and even holding a private tribute in honor of his grandfather. The move resonated, not just with Thompson, but with the entire recruiting world.
Flipping a five-star talent from a blue blood like Oklahoma is no small feat. Doing so while also beating out Notre Dame and Texas—two programs known for their aggressive recruitment of elite talent—sends a clear message: South Carolina is no longer playing catch-up; they’re building something formidable.
Coach Beamer, in his post-commitment reaction, couldn’t hide his excitement. “This one means more,” he said. “Not just because of the talent Jeremiah brings to our offense, but because of the legacy. This is personal—for him, for his family, and for this university.”
Thompson’s commitment gives South Carolina its highest-rated offensive commit in school history, and with a top-10 class now within reach for 2025, momentum is clearly swinging in the Gamecocks’ favor. Analysts believe that Jeremiah could be a day-one contributor and potentially a game-changer for the SEC program.
What’s more, insiders say his decision is already influencing other recruits. Fellow five-star quarterback Malachi Ross, who’s down to South Carolina and Alabama, is said to be taking a second look at the Gamecocks. “Jeremiah flipping definitely got my attention,” Ross told reporters after a recent 7-on-7 showcase. “I didn’t expect that. But it makes you think—something special might be happening there.”
It’s not every Thursday that the entire landscape of college football recruiting shifts, but this one certainly did. For South Carolina, it’s not just a victory in the rankings—it’s a win for legacy, loyalty, and the kind of emotional connection that transcends the sport.