South Carolina’s next QB signee is home-grown star, state champion. Sound familiar?
A year ago, the South Carolina football coaches — Shane Beamer and nearly every assistant — took private jets to Orangeburg for the Class 4A state title game. They were there, mainly, to see the state’s top prospect, South Florence defensive lineman Amare Adams.
As the fourth quarter started, Adams’ South Florence squad was up a dozen on Westside High, out of Anderson. Beamer stood behind one end zone, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains behind the other and all the assistants scattered around the field.
And suddenly, this Westside quarterback rocking a satin bonnet under his helmet started making things happen.
Cutter Woods — who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior — led Westside on an 83-yard touchdown drive, scrambling and dodging sacks seemingly every other play. A few minutes later, Westside got the ball back needing a touchdown to win the state championship.
After another stress-inducing drive that included fourth-down conversions and Woods running for his life to pick up first downs, Westside found the end zone. On fourth-and-2, Woods hit receiver Jimmar “Tank” Boston for a 17-yard touchdown and the Rams won their first state title since 1969.
Ramon Robinson, Woods’ longtime quarterback trainer, stood in the end zone with Loggains.
“Coach was like, ‘I like him, man. I just have to see what the staff thinks,’ ” Robinson told The State.
In April, without a scholarship offer from South Carolina, Woods committed to Wake Forest. But later that summer, Loggains began to talk with Woods more. Westside then participated in a South Carolina 7-on-7 team camp and Woods played great. A few days later, he got a call informing him he had an offer with the Gamecocks.
Woods soon after flipped his commitment to South Carolina. On Wednesday, he because the only quarterback the Gamecocks added during the Class of 2025’s early signing day.
“I’m kind of stepping into a good situation (at South Carolina),” Woods told The State. “But I’m just excited to get down there and just work. I’m just going to work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.”
Similiarities with LaNorris Sellers
Woods has connections. Robinson is also the longtime trainer of South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and the current Gamecocks QB talked with the future Gamecocks QB throughout the recruiting process.
“(I) kind of got his take on it,” Woods said. “And obviously he had nothing but praise.”
After what Sellers has done over the second half of the season — leading the Gamecocks to six straight wins, becoming the hero against Clemson and cementing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in America — perhaps it’s smart that the Gamecocks are looking for its next quarterback in a similar circle.
Though Sellers has an inch and 30 pounds on Woods, there are plenty of similarities. Both are from South Carolina. Both are trained by Robinson. Both are state champions — Sellers winning as a senior with South Florence; Woods holding up the trophy last season and leading Westside on a repeat quest this year.
Both have stellar arm talent and the ability to lead a winning offense. But Woods’ quest to climb to Sellers’ level has revolved around his mobility. Heck, Robinson said, that was a big reason the Gamecocks were slow to offer him.
Part of that comes down to the weight room, building a stronger lower body so that when SEC linebackers have you wrapped up, you can slip out of a sack like Sellers does so often each game. The other component is speed, and Woods has been working with a speed coach to become quicker.
But the true similarity between Sellers and Woods is their demeanor. Both are quiet, respectful kids who act as the antithesis of the stereotypical star recruit. No pomp. No flash. No attention drawing.
For instance, Woods only took one official visit — to South Carolina.
“I do not like going on visits,” Woods said. “Obviously it’s a blessing to be recruited, but it’s not something I enjoy.”
“The similarities are, neither one of them are caught up in the social media stuff,” Robinson added of Woods and Sellers. “They couldn’t care less about it. If it wasn’t for NIL, I don’t think LaNorris would be posting anything. And Cutter is the same way.”
While Woods might not have the God-given frame and speed that Sellers used to dominate in high school, he has the same unique ability to just make plays. Sure, his rushing stats won’t blow you away, but if Woods needs to take off on third down, he’s gonna find a way to get to the marker.
“And he can do it all with his arm,” Robinson said. “When you look at Cutter, you know he has a college arm.”
Perhaps in a few years, when Sellers has graduated or been drafted, Woods will get to prove that.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "South Carolina’s next QB signee is home-grown star, state champion. Sound familiar?."
