South Carolina and Minnesota Secure Top Football Recruits

South Carolina's football team continues to attract top recruits with Dylan Stewart and Josiah Thompson being notable recent additions to the Gamecocks' ranks. Justin Hopkins, a highly-ranked cornerback from Tennessee, committed to Minnesota's 2026 class, choosing it over more prominent programs like Tennessee and USC. His decision was influenced by the strong recruitment efforts of Minnesota's coaching staff, particularly coach Nick Monroe, and the promise of early playing time. Hopkins is praised for his versatility and leadership, both on and off the field, by his high school coach Tim Hasselbeck. As the NFL Draft approaches, teams like the New Orleans Saints are assessing their needs, focusing on defensive line and wide receiver depth, while LSU prepares to send multiple players to the NFL Scouting Combine.