Shane Beamer's top QB recruit hits Shedeur Sanders' iconic celly while on official visit to South Carolina

Four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth hit Shedeur Sanders’ “watch celebration” during his official visit to South Carolina, as shown in an Instagram post by On3 Recruits on Sunday. The move, popularized by Sanders during Colorado’s 2023 season, appears in College Football 25 as “Salute or show the ice (watch flex).”

On3 captioned the post:

“4-star QB Landon Duckworth hitting the “Shedeur” with South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer🤙. Duckworth is the No. 6 QB in the 2026 class.”

Duckworth, who led Jackson High School (AL) to a state title, originally committed to South Carolina in August 2023 but decommitted last June. The Gamecocks have continued to pursue him, with Shane Beamer staying aggressive in the recruitment.

Duckworth, a top-100 recruit in the 2026 class, is considering South Carolina, Auburn, Ole Miss and Florida State. Georgia was previously in the mix but landed five-star Jared Curtis.

Landon Duckworth signaling renewed interest in Shane Beamer's Gamecocks

Landon Duckworth made an official visit to South Carolina in early June, signaling renewed interest in the Gamecocks. He has a strong connection with the coaching staff, especially offensive coordinator Mike Shula.

Duckworth is ranked No. 6 among quarterbacks and No. 51 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports. A three-sport athlete, he has led his high school to a state football title and totaled over 6,400 yards and 80 touchdowns in three seasons.

He finished the 2024 season with 3,439 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 648 rushing yards and 12 scores in 15 games.

Analysts expect Duckworth to lean toward recommitting to South Carolina. Shane Beamer’s recruitment, paired with the program’s NIL strategy and offensive line development, has kept the Gamecocks in a strong position. Duckworth is seen as a possible successor to LaNorris Sellers.

South Carolina opens the 2025 season against Virginia Tech on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game is set for 3 p.m. ET as part of the Aflac Kickoff.

Also Read: Shane Beamer's South Carolina gets closer to securing another four-star commit as priority target reclassifies to 2026 class

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Neha