| Herald-Journal
Five-star quarterback Gunner Stockton announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he is no longer committed to the University of South Carolina.
The 1.8 m and 200 pound libretto from Rabun County High School in Tiger, Georgia, is the country’s two highest-ranked quarterback for the 2022 class on the 247Sports Composite.
“After much discussion and prayer with my family, I decided to leave the University of South Carolina,” posted Stockton. “In August, I made the decision to commit myself to the university’s program and staff. A lot has changed since that time and I feel that I must reevaluate my situation. I want to thank Connor Shaw for all of his love, support and understanding. “
Shaw, one of the greatest defenders in the school’s history, was hired as director of player development at USC last January before serving as a coach for defenders in the final three games of this season after a change of head coach. Shaw will resume an off-field role in management, to be determined by new coach Shane Beamer.
Other news: South Carolina to hire NFL assistant coach Marcus Satterfield as offensive coordinator
When Stockton committed to the Gamecocks in August, Will Muschamp was the head coach and Mike Bobo was the offensive coordinator and the coach of the defenders. Muschamp was fired on November 15 and, after initially being hired by Beamer in both positions, Bobo last week decided to take on the same positions at Auburn.
Former assistant coach of the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line, Marcus Satterfield, was announced on Sunday as Bobo’s replacement.
Stockton’s high school coach is Shaw’s older brother Jaybo Shaw. Stockton was known to have forged a close relationship with Bobo, which obviously prompted immediate speculation that Auburn could now be the precursor to his next engagement.
Stockton publicly narrowed his decision last summer for Gamecocks and Georgia. Its other offerings include Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Oregon, Southern California, Penn State, North Carolina and Auburn.
In his first three seasons in high school, Stockton completed 642 of 942 passes (68 percent) for 9,518 yards and 122 touchdowns with 16 interceptions and ran 467 times for 3,416 yards and 62 touchdowns according to MaxPreps.
In last year’s junior season, he completed 213 of 317 passes for 3,128 yards and 45 touchdowns with four interceptions and ran 191 times for 1,581 yards and 26 touchdowns, reaching 100 yards in 10 of 14 games.