Stone Blanton, South Carolina transfer LB, announces SEC commitment

Stone Blanton is staying in the SEC, but moving closer to home.

Blanton, a former South Carolina linebacker who is from Jackson, Mississippi, announced a commitment with Mississippi State as he declared he was “Coming Home!” He’s the first transfer portal addition for the Bulldogs.

He has 2 seasons of eligibility remaining after he saw meaningful snaps for the first time this past season. He produced 52 total tackles with 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass deflections and 1 interception, which was returned for a touchdown against Jacksonville State.

Overall with the Gamecocks in 2 seasons, Blanton appeared in 24 games and started all 12 contests in 2023. A former baseball commit at Mississippi State, Blanton also has action against the Bulldogs, as he made 4 tackles and forced a fumble in the Sept. 23 win by the Gamecocks.

The Bulldogs have plenty to replace as they move on from veteran linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson after they used up their eligibility. They combined for 497 tackles the last 2 seasons and were consistently at or near the top of the SEC in tackles.

Out of Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Blanton was considered the seventh-best player in the state of Mississippi, the 28th-best linebacker in the nation and No. 285 overall by the 247Sports Composite.