North Augusta junior breaks barrier on D1 football offers

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s not every day that you see a high school junior with multiple division one offers on the table.

But North Augusta’s Malcom Gaston is one of those players.

The junior left guard didn’t start his career with the Yellow Jackets, but his success under Head Coach Richard Bush has put his name on the map.

“Don’t compare yourself to other people,” says Gaston.

Gaston started at McCormick High School but moved to North Augusta High School.

“Going into my sophomore year, I’m gonna go ahead and tell you I did not have any college looks,” says Gaston. “It was hard, but Coach Bush and Coach McCarthy and the rest of the coaching staff helped develop me and helped me become a better player.”

The 6′6, 340-pound brick wall has helped lead North Augusta to a 3-1 start on the season.

“He’s a big part of our offensive line, you know, he’s developed a lot since he got here, and he’s gotten better each week, and that’s the goal for him personally to get better each and every week,” said Bush.

He might look like a grown man, but Gaston is only 16.

At such a young age, he’s already got plenty of options for his next move in a few years.

His current list of offers includes Jackson State University, Liberty, UNC Charlotte, Georgia and Florida State.

While he hasn’t officially had an offer from South Carolina, he was invited for an unofficial visit last Saturday.

“I love the atmosphere at South Carolina, love the fans too,” says Gaston.

Reminiscing on a slow start to his career with more offers sure to come, Gaston reminds himself that it’s all about betting on yourself.

“If you know how you play, and you know you’re good at it, don’t let no rankings hold you back,” says Gaston. “There’s plenty of offers in the world. God has a plan for each and every one of us. If you stick by His plan, put Him first above everything else, He’s gonna put you on the right path.”

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