2024 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

Record: 9-3, Loss vs. Illinois in Citrus Bowl (21-17)

South Carolina was considered one of the first teams out of the College Football Playoff last season. After a shaky start following a loss to Alabama, and a 3-3 start, the Gamecocks finished the regular season with six consecutive victories, including triumphs over Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson.

OFFENSE: Sellers, Offense Making Gamecocks Contenders

The SEC is no cakewalk and it has been that way for years. South Carolina knows this but don’t look now — the Gamecocks are in the mix.

LaNorris Sellers is among the best quarterbacks in the nation. The dual-threat threw for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He added 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Sellers will work with five returning starts on the offensive side of the ball, including Nyck Harbor. The 6-foot-5 receiver will be the No. 1 option for Sellers and the offense.

In the backfield, the Gamecocks added Rahsul Faison in the transfer portal. He totaled over 1,100 yards last season to go with eight touchdowns.

It is a loaded offense for South Carolina that will have the team in the mix in the conference.

DEFENSE: Was Fine, But Needs to be Better

South Carolina navigated a difficult schedule defensively but a reloaded group has the chance to be even better.

The secondary lost Nick Emmanwori but Jalon Kilgore returns after logging 48 tackles and five interceptions. He is one of the top corners in the conference. He will be joined in the secondary by safeties DQ Smith and Peyton Williams.

In the middle, the Gamecocks lost their top tacklers. This leaves Fred Johnson and Jaron Willis as options that will have to step up. South Carolina hit the transfer portal to add both Justin Okoronkwo and Shawn Murphy.

Up front, South Carolina will feature some new faces. This does not include Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas, who will be tough once again. Demon Clowney came over from Louisville while Texas A&M transfer Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy will give the team plenty of depth.

2025 SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Sunday, Aug. 31: vs. Virginia Tech
• Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State
• Saturday, Sept. 13: v. Vanderbilt
• Saturday, Sept. 20: at Missouri
• Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Kentucky
• Saturday, Oct. 11: at LSU
• Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. Oklahoma
• Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Alabama
• Saturday, Nov. 1: at Ole Miss
• Saturday, Nov. 15: at Texas A&M
• Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Coastal Carolina
• Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Clemson