Another Four-Star South Carolina Target Set to Choose Between Three SEC Powerhouses in Crucial Wednesday Night Commitment Decision
Recruiting in the Southeastern Conference is often described as a relentless, high-stakes arms race — and South Carolina finds itself right in the middle of it again. This week, another pivotal moment in the Gamecocks’ 2025 class is set to unfold as four-star linebacker Malik Whitaker, one of the top defensive targets on South Carolina’s board, prepares to announce his college commitment on Wednesday night.
Whitaker, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect out of Montgomery, Alabama, will choose between three SEC programs: South Carolina, Auburn, and Ole Miss. All three schools have made him a recruiting priority in recent months, and the final decision is expected to have immediate implications not only for each team’s defensive future but also for their standing in the current recruiting rankings.
Ranked among the top 200 players nationally and a consensus top-15 linebacker in the 2025 cycle, Whitaker has earned a reputation for being one of the most physical and instinctive second-level defenders in the Southeast. His announcement comes after a series of official visits, long conversations with coaching staffs, and what he described as “the toughest decision” of his young life.
“This is where I’m going to grow as a player and as a man,” Whitaker said during an interview ahead of his decision. “I’ve thought about every angle. Who’s going to help me develop? Where do I fit? Who’s going to push me? I feel like I’ve got the answer now, and I’m ready.”
South Carolina has been one of the most consistent programs in his recruitment from the beginning. Linebackers coach Sterling Lucas has personally handled Whitaker’s process, visiting his high school multiple times and forging a close bond with the player and his family. The Gamecocks hosted Whitaker for an official visit in June, and by all accounts, the trip went as well as Beamer’s staff could have hoped.
“Coach Lucas kept it real with me the whole time,” Whitaker said. “He didn’t promise me anything but told me exactly how I’d be used, how they’d develop me, and what expectations would look like. I respect that.”
South Carolina sees Whitaker as a future middle linebacker in their 4-2-5 scheme — someone who could eventually quarterback the defense and serve as a tone-setter in the run game. With the Gamecocks losing veteran linebacker Debo Williams after the 2024 season, there’s a clear path to early playing time in Columbia, which has not gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Auburn has made a late push. Head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts see Whitaker as a perfect fit in their aggressive, hybrid front. Auburn’s visit in early July was described by Whitaker as “eye-opening,” particularly from a facilities and NIL infrastructure standpoint. Auburn has also leaned into the in-state angle, with multiple former Alabama high school stars recruiting Whitaker personally via social media.
Ole Miss remains the wildcard. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels were the first SEC school to offer Whitaker during his sophomore year, and linebackers coach Wes Neighbors has built a strong relationship with him. Oxford also offers a slightly different pitch — the chance to be a centerpiece of a fast, modern defense that gives linebackers freedom to attack and roam.
But despite the pressure and prestige from all three schools, South Carolina sources remain cautiously optimistic heading into Wednesday.
“Malik is a high-character kid,” one South Carolina recruiting insider said. “And he’s really connected with the culture here. We’ve shown him what we’re building. Now we wait.”
Gamecock fans are certainly waiting, and watching closely. Whitaker’s decision could represent a turning point for South Carolina’s 2025 class — a group that has steadily climbed into the top 20 nationally and has the potential to reach top-15 status with a few key additions.
If Whitaker picks the Gamecocks, he’d join four-star edge rusher Greg Billings and defensive tackle Zamir Jones as core pieces of a defense-first recruiting cycle that has emphasized physicality, speed, and SEC-ready toughness. The idea is to build a foundation that can compete with Georgia and Tennessee in the East — and eventually, challenge for a playoff spot under the new expanded format.
“South Carolina is building something real,” Whitaker said. “They’ve been honest with me every step of the way. It’s hard not to respect that.”
And while recruiting battles always come down to more than just relationships — factors like NIL opportunities, playing time guarantees, proximity to home, and academic fit all play a role — South Carolina’s edge may simply come down to the stability and identity that Shane Beamer has worked hard to establish.
“He’s a players’ coach,” Whitaker said of Beamer. “He’s someone who cares about more than just football. You feel that when you talk to him.”
The importance of Wednesday’s announcement extends beyond one player, however. Recruiting momentum is real, especially in July — a month when dozens of top prospects across the country are finalizing decisions before the start of their senior seasons. A commitment from Whitaker could encourage several undecided South Carolina targets to move up their own timelines, knowing that the Gamecocks are building a defense around elite pieces.
It could also send a strong message to rivals. Winning a high-profile SEC battle for a four-star linebacker out of Alabama would show that South Carolina isn’t just hanging around the recruiting scene — it’s actively winning against the likes of Auburn and Ole Miss for elite talent.
Still, the Gamecocks have to close. No points are awarded for finishing second. And in a recruiting landscape where everything can change within 24 hours, no one inside the program is counting anything until the announcement is made.
“We’ve done everything we can,” one staff member said. “Now we hope it’s enough.”
Whitaker’s decision will be broadcast live via his high school’s media team and streamed on social media platforms, with a large crowd expected to be in attendance. Teammates, coaches, and family members will be present, and the anticipation is already building in the Montgomery area.
“I’m going to make the best decision for me,” Whitaker said. “I’ve worked too hard to let anyone else make it for me. This is where my future starts.”
South Carolina hopes that future begins in Columbia. If it does, the Gamecocks will be getting not just a linebacker, but a leader — a player capable of changing the trajectory of a defense, and maybe even the program itself.
And for Shane Beamer, Wednesday night could be one of the biggest wins of the offseason.
