Edge rusher from NC commits to South Carolina football for class of 2025

Three-star edge rusher Taeshawn Alston announced his commitment to South Carolina football’s 2025 class on Tuesday night.

Alston — 6-foot-3, 234 pounds out of Henderson, North Carolina — chose USC over North Carolina and Rutgers, according to 247Sports.

“The staff in general and the coaches are all wonderful and care about their players,” Alston told Phil Kornblut of SportsTalkSC earlier this month. “The biggest about them is they are going to make sure the players are good and make sure you are good.”

Alston visited the Gamecocks and coach Shane Beamer earlier this month. Holloway is the No. 506 overall player in the country and No. 36 edge, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings that factor in all networks, though South Carolina could have him play linebacker. He recorded 27 tackles and five sacks in seven games his junior year at Vance County High School.

“They look at me like a hybrid guy on the field,” Alston said. “Sometimes I may play edge. Sometimes I might be like Bam Scott and play a linebacker position. I feel like the way they use their defense, they move in it. The way they use their linebackers, the linebackers are free, the outside backer is free. Sometimes they rush off the edge, sometimes they are in coverage. They’ve got a good defensive scheme.”

The North Carolinian is USC’s 16th Class of 2025 commit and the ninth to announce a verbal commitment to the Gamecocks this month. South Carolina’s class currently ranks No. 22 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings and is expected to rise to No. 18 with Alston joining.

South Carolina football class of 2025

Jayden Sellers (WR) — committed Oct. 26, 2023 Brian Rowe (WR) — committed April 9 Damarcus Leach (DB) — committed April 10 Anthony Addison (DE) — committed April 12 Shamari Earls (DB) — committed April 20 Caleb Williams (DE) — committed April 21 Jaquel Holman (ATH) — committed June 8 Kobby Sakyi-Prah (DE) — committed June 10 Chris Hatfield (DB/WR) — committed June 11 Preston Douglas (TE) — committed June 12 AJ Holloway (LB) — committed June 14 Shedrick Sarratt (OL) — committed June 14 Jaquavious Dodd (DL) — committed June 20 Cutter Woods (QB) — committed June 24 Taeshawn Alston (DE) — committed June 25