Well, the vultures are circling, and it looks like the battle for Jackson’s Landon Duckworth is far from over. “I was so proud of London’s performance in the championship game,” said his head coach, Cody Flournoy, after their state title win over Cherokee County. Note that this guy is not only an elite QB in the 2026 class but also a very desirable player. Thirty-two offers are already in his hands, including ones from top programs such as Georgia and South Carolina. But it looks like they might have to brace for a tough fight, as the latest intel suggests Bill Belichick’s UNC might have a competitive edge.
Look, Bill Belichick’s 2026 class already looks pretty impressive in terms of top players. With three-star recruits Marcellous Ryan, Justin Lewis, Zaid Lott, and Jaden Jefferson, Belichick’s recruiting class ranks 8th in the ACC and 38th nationally. And Landon Duckworth’s commitment will only give them a push. Interesting, he even visited the campus. And On3 Recruits Steve Wiltfong says, ”
“Landon Duckworth was on campus. JD, he is a specimen of a quarterback—the number six signal caller in the country. Like Julius Peppers, he’s also a basketball standout. He’s fresh off winning a state championship on the hardwood. He is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.” Now who doesn’t want to get a quarterback with two-way skills?
This dude isn’t just a quarterback; he’s a walking highlight reel. Landon Duckworth put on an impressive performance in the championship game, completing 14 of 17 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns, earning him the MVP honors. His exceptional season stats include 3,439 passing yards, 648 rushing yards, and a total of 51 touchdowns, which led to him being awarded the Bama HS News’ 4A Offensive Player of the Year. Not stopping there, he also secured a Class 4A state basketball title with the Jackson Aggies last year, followed by a football championship win in December. Now you can understand why Bill Belichick and UNC have him at the top of their wish list.
But here’s the catch: Landon Duckworth committed to South Carolina last year, then backed off his pledge in June. But despite that Gamecocks are still in the running to secure his services again, with the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine giving them a 50.1% chance of landing him. However, Steve Wiltfong suggests that UNC is also a strong contender for his commitment. As he says, “North Carolina would love to add him to this class. I have the Tar Heels on the short list for Duckworth with Florida State, South Carolina, and Georgia right now.”
But let’s hope things remain the same for them as Landon Duckworth announces his future CFB move, and that can flip the entire script.
Landon Duckworth’s recent CFB update
Landon Duckworth’s stock is on the rise, attracting attention from top players. The quarterback from Jackson (Ala.) is standing high as the No. 98 overall prospect and the No. 7 quarterback in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and South Carolina are all vying for his commitment, with each making significant efforts.
Now, Landon Duckworth has mapped out his next steps. By scheduling four official visits – Georgia on May 30, South Carolina on June 6, Florida State on June 13, and Ole Miss on June 20. In a conversation with On3’s Chad Simmons, Duckworth revealed his current top contenders.“There are some other schools I am looking at, but Ole Miss, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida State are the main schools I am focused on right now,” Duckworth said. “All of those are talking to me a lot, they want me to visit in the spring and I am planning to take official visits to all four.”
As Duckworth inches closer to a decision, his intentions remain clear. Talking about it Landon says, “If I am ready to commit before the season, I want to, but if not, I will wait,” Duckworth told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “What’s important to me is the atmosphere at the school, the way the coaches treat me, how the offensive is and the background of the coaches and their development.”
The battle for Landon’s commitment is fierce, resulting in a highly competitive recruitment. Now, let’s wait and see which team finally lands him.
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