WINNSBORO- Jordon Gidron is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound four-star wide receiver who is ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 14 at the position for the Class of 2026 cycle.
And the national recruitment of the standout from Ridge View High School in Columbia, SC only continues to grow. Most recently, he was tendered offers by Arkansas (July 18), Stanford (Aug. 10), Florida, Notre Dame, and West Virginia (Aug. 13 and Aug. 14).
After watching him on site, there are several reasons to believe why he could be the next star wide reciever from the Midlands.
Gidron was returning kickoffs, taking direct snaps, and showing off his capabilities as a possession and outside receiver. He recorded nine receptions and 180-all purpose yards.
Possessing a good frame, big-time playmaking ability, and exciting physicality, the athlete with track-star speed could have a rare combination of size, speed, route running, and ball skills for the position.
Gidron already turned in big performances at elite spring and summer camps, including the Charlotte Rivals Camp at Fort Mill. When Gidron wasn’t balling out on the gridiron, he was speeding around the track for the Blazers. He and his 4x100 relay teammates raced to the 5A state title on the track for Ridge View, providing championship glory for their school.
Here is what we noticed from him during Gidron’s strong performance in a 42-18 win for the Blazers on Aug. 23 vs. Fairfield Central in the season opener:
“During a big win over Fairfield, Gidron continued to put his stamp on his four-star status. He rumbled to two touchdowns to put the game out of reach for the Griffins in the second half. First, it was on an electrifying kickoff touchdown that left home fans in shock on the first play of the third quarter, and then, it was on a designated run on a direct snap from the Wildcat package at the quarterback position with 5:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.
But that wasn’t all. In the first quarter during a crucial fourth down play at the Fairfield 20-yard line, he showed off what he can do against Division 1 prospect Christopher Pearson. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Class of 2025 defensive back has tendered FCS offers from Charleston Southern and Richmond.
On a four-wide receiver set from the shotgun spread formation, Gidron sped down the right sideline. He was the only receiver on the right. He got an early step on Pearson and used his marked physicality to push the defender’s body. Gidron overpowered the Griffins' defensive back when running the original nine-yard route.
The play took long to develop for sophomore quarterback Tre Howard, leaving Gidron lingering in the back corner of the end zone.
But by the time his quarterback made the desperation throw, Gidron was there. He made a great jump on the ball. His big, athletic, prototypical 6-foot-2, 185-pound body creates such a big disadvantage for defenders before he leaves the ground. Gidron's frame and the length of his arms are major traits that he possesses. His big touchdown snag felt eerily similar to a basketball player going up for a dunk or a rebound.
The play was called back for an ineligible player downfield penalty on Ridge View, but everyone saw what the 4-star from Columbia could do during the sequence.
The big-framed Blazers’ star with freight train speed shows off crisp, smooth route running abilities. He made it look easy on a dig pattern to the sideline, demonstrating Power Four abilities as both a speedy outside pass-catcher and possession receiver. A quick-strike bubble screen play and a 10-yard comeback pattern suggested evidence of both.
During a 10-yard corner route, again from the shotgun formation, he showed off good hands while using his frame. Gidron completed a full-body extension, demonstrating ball skills when leaving the ground.
Once again, on top of the traits he already possesses, Gidron's long arms and big vertical provide exciting upside and such a problem for defenders. That play suggested a highlight reminiscent of a potential future star in the making at the Power Four level, and perhaps he could even play professional in the future.
There are plenty of players to like in the Midlands and throughout the state at wide receiver for the cycle, but Gidron and Irmo 2026 wide receiver Donovan Murph could be two of the best wide receivers to come from the Columbia area in a long time.
