Jackson 4-star quarterback Landon Duckworth made it official Friday night, recommitting to South Carolina during a ceremony in Jackson.

Duckworth originally committed to the Gamecocks in August of 2023 before decommitting in June of 2024. He chose South Carolina over Auburn this time around.

He is the latest of a flurry of Aggies committing to Power 4 schools, including RB EJ Crowell to Alabama and WR Keeyun Chapman and DBs Keegan Chapman and Jamarrion Gordon to North Carolina.

“He still does things that impress me every day,” Jackson coach Cody Flournoy said of Duckworth earlier this summer. “I’m a defensive guy by trade. So, I’m out there in the spring and summer trying to defend him and he frustrates me so bad because he makes it look so easy. He hits all his passes, reads all the coverages and, if you do have it covered, he just takes off running. It’s hard to defend.”

Duckworth helped Jackson to the Class 4A state football title in 2024 and was named the Back of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,439 yards and 39 touchdowns and rushed for 648 yards and 12 TDs. This summer, he was one of the standout performers in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition.

“What you see is what you get,” Flournoy said. “The thing I love most about him is just the kind of person he is. He’s a nice, good dude. He is always smiling, loves to be around people. He has that infectious, happy personality.”

The 6-foot-4 Duckworth is No. 5 on AL.com’s A-List of the top senior prospects in Alabama and on the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is the No. 6-ranked quarterback nationally.

Duckworth also was named the Coastal Alabama Male Athlete of the Year after helping the Jackson basketball team to its second straight state title and participating in Jackson’s winning 4X100 relay team.

Duckworth and Jackson are scheduled to open the season Aug. 22 by hosting Class 6A power Saraland.

More recruiting news

Bessemer City four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin announced an offer from Penn State. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound rising senior also holds offers that include Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, USC, Tennessee and Florida.

North Alabama offered Good Hope tight end Tucker Screws and Deshler linebacker Dayton Sanford.

In basketball, Park Crossing star Maliyah Meeks has picked up plenty of Division I traction in the last few days. Since Tuesday, she’s announced offers from North Alabama, UAB, Akron, Buffalo, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Western Michigan, UT-Martin and Pennsylvania.

Bob Jones standout Elise McClain added a Division I offer from Howard. She also holds offers that include Alabama A&M, Seton Hall and NC Central.

Hoover star Kristen Winston added an offer from Maryland to her growing list of Division I schools.

In softball, Hazel Green’s Khloe Hunter committed to UAH on Tuesday.

AL.com sports writer Thomas Ashworth contributed to this report.

This post will be updated