Julian Walker, a four-star EDGE prospect from Dutch Fork High School in Columbia, South Carolina, has announced his decision to flip his commitment from Michigan to the University of South Carolina. This announcement came on Thursday morning and represents a significant gain for the Gamecocks as they continue to build their 2026 recruiting class.
Walker had been the focus of intense recruitment from both South Carolina and North Carolina in the final stretch leading up to the early signing period. Notably, he did not sign on the previous Wednesday, which left room for the Gamecocks to secure his commitment. He explained the importance of his decision, emphasizing the value of his father being part of the South Carolina strength staff. “The fact that my father is there is always the most important thing to me,” Walker previously shared with Rivals. “He has trained and developed me my whole life.”
Ranked No. 72 nationally and No. 11 among EDGE prospects in the 2026 class by the Rivals Industry Ranking, Walker is also recognized as the top recruit in South Carolina. Furthermore, the most recent Rivals300 rankings have him even higher, listing him as No. 26 overall and No. 6 in the EDGE category.
Walker has made several visits to Williams-Brice Stadium this past fall and initially committed to Michigan on July 1. However, the combination of closeness to home and family connections reduced the Wolverines’ edge in his decision-making. With Walker’s commitment, the Gamecocks now boast four top-100 prospects in their impressive top-20 recruiting class.
In addition to Walker’s flip, Rivals also reported on Thursday that four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth is expected to sign with South Carolina instead of making a last-minute commitment to LSU, strengthening the Gamecocks’ 2026 class further.
Rivals National Scout Cody Bellaire provided a glowing assessment of Walker as a prospect, highlighting his prototypical size and athleticism, along with his ability to disrupt plays effectively. At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Walker demonstrates excellent pad level and agility for his size, still possessing room to grow physically. Bellaire noted that Walker’s versatility allows him to potentially play across the line of scrimmage, showcasing the kind of attributes that defensive coaches highly value.
The addition of Julian Walker not only enhances the Gamecocks’ roster but also underscores the program’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent from within the state. His development, combined with the support of his father and coaching staff, is likely to yield positive outcomes for both him and the South Carolina football program moving forward.