Top247 Linebacker Skylar Alston Commits to South Carolina

Top247 Linebacker Skylar Alston Commits to South Carolina

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Skylar Alston, a Top247 linebacker from Raleigh, North Carolina, committed to South Carolina on Sunday afternoon, marking the program’s first in-season commitment from a 2028 prospect.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defender from Cardinal Gibbons High School chose the Gamecocks over several high-profile programs, including Tennessee, Michigan, and UCLA, 247Sports reported. Alston had reportedly known since last month that Columbia would be his destination, quietly returning to the campus this past Saturday to attend South Carolina’s game against Texas A&M before making his official announcement.

This recruitment is an early victory for head coach Shane Beamer as he builds his 2028 class. Alston is the third commitment in the 2028 cycle for South Carolina, joining wide receiver Joseph Gibbs of Southeast Alamance and three-star wide receiver Jhamari Cain of Huguenot.

LIVE: Four-star LB Skylar Alston makes his commitment

The pull of the Gamecock family

For Alston, the decision centered on the cultural atmosphere within the South Carolina program. While many elite college programs can feel transactional, Alston noted a distinct sense of community during his visits.

“Every time I have visited South Carolina, I feel at home, I feel that way and so does my family,” Alston said. “Seeing how the coaches and players bond together, it’s really like a family. It really is. I feel like some schools when you get there, it’s more business-like, but at South Carolina it is really a family.”

The linebacker also cited the program’s recent resilience as a deciding factor. He observed how the team responded to adversity and criticism regarding the coaching staff, noting that the group chose to “go back to war” rather than concede to doubters.

“I have really liked how South Carolina has bounced back from certain situations,” Alston said. “They took the losses and everyone doubting them and talking bad about coach Beamer, and got everyone together and went back to war. That’s what I like to see.”

Scouting the 2028 prospect

Alston enters the recruiting cycle with a high ceiling. 247Sports currently ranks him as the No. 10 player in North Carolina and the No. 14 linebacker in his position. He holds an overall national ranking of No. 205 in the 2028 class with a grade of 90.

Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ national director of scouting, provided a detailed assessment of Alston’s current physical profile and potential development. While Alston is currently described as compact and on the lighter side, scouts expect him to add significant mass as he matures.

The scouting report highlights several key traits:

The carolinas or carolina the us states north carolina and south carolina political map with borders and capitals raleigh and
  • A “stack” backer with a natural nose for the football.
  • The ability to shoot into gaps quickly with a strong trigger.
  • High-level lateral range when pursuing ball carriers.
  • Proficiency in zone coverage due to strong route recognition.

Ivins projects Alston as a future multi-year contributor at the Power Four level, specifically noting his potential to rack up tackles around the box. As he develops physically, he is expected to evolve into a true three-down defender.

Alston's commitment strengthens South Carolina's North Carolina ties

Alston’s decision follows a narrowing of his recruitment. On November 1, he released a top-six list that included South Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and UCLA. He later clarified to 247Sports that Kentucky, Tennessee, and UNC were his primary choices behind the Gamecocks.

The commitment also strengthens South Carolina’s ties to the North Carolina region. Alston is part of a growing contingent of talent from the state; one-third of the Gamecocks’ 21 total commitments across the 2027 and 2028 classes—seven players in total—hail from North Carolina.

Metric Alston’s Profile
Height 6-foot-2 1/2
Weight 220 pounds
247Sports Grade 90
National Rank No. 205
State Rank (NC) No. 10

The Gamecocks' ability to secure a top-tier linebacker this early in the 2028 cycle provides a foundation for a class that is already gaining momentum.

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