South Carolina Football Lands In ‘Way Too Early’ Top 25 Rankings

The 2021 season is less than 24 hours in the past, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.

The South Carolina football team exceeded expectations in 2021, posting a 7-6 overall record that included a huge bowl win over border rival North Carolina. The Gamecocks took down the Tar Heels 38-21 to land their first postseason victory since the 2017 season.

Head coach Shane Beamer, who’s hire was criticized in the offseason, helped the South Carolina football program make huge strides in year one. While the risk of hiring a first-time head coach was great, the reward is already paying off.

Beamer landed top grades as a first-year coach, and he’s got his eyes set on building upon this initial foundation. That foundation includes a late season finish where the Gamecocks knocked off the likes of Auburn, Florida, and North Carolina.

Each of those victories came with Beamer’s squad considered more than a touchdown underdog, making South Carolina the most profitable betting option in the SEC.

That late run has brought a ton of momentum to Columbia, which is continuing on the recruiting trail. While the Gamecocks will lose the likes of Kingsley Enagbare and Kevin Harris, the team is bringing back a great deal of talent for the 2022 season.

The Gamecocks will return a number of talented defenders, as well as top pass catcher Josh Vann. These players were integral pieces of South Carolina’s success last year, and they’ll be looking to cap off their college careers with an even better output in 2022.

• More: Sack Leader Jordan Strachan To Return
• More: WR Josh Vann Back For Sr. Year
• More: 5-Star DL Zacch Pickens Coming Back To Columbia

South Carolina also made a splash in the transfer portal by bringing in former Heisman frontrunner Spencer Rattler and his all-conference tight end Austin Stogner. The Gamecocks have also landed pledges from Wake Forest’s leading rusher Christian Beal-Smith and top pass catcher Antwane Wells from James Madison.

South Carolina struggled on offense last season, but the recent additions could soon make that side of the ball a strength.

With all of the positive momentum the Gamecocks are gaining, media members are beginning to peg South Carolina for a breakout year in 2022.

South Carolina football ranked in early 2022 polls

Shane Beamer’s crew has been spotted in a number of Early Top 25 Polls for the 2022 campaign. Obviously, a lot can happen between then and now, but it speaks to the quick turnaround that the new coaching staff has achieved.

Let’s get to the rankings.

SportsDay – #21

SportsDay, a part of The Dallas Morning News publication, places the Gamecocks as the nation’s No. 21 team ahead of the offseason. They’re one of seven SEC squads in the poll, led by Alabama.

ESPN – #25

ESPN is also high on the Gamecocks, pegging South Carolina as the No. 25 team in the country. Here’s what the site had to say about the outlook of the program’s future.

"Shane Beamer’s first season as a head coach couldn’t have gone much better… They scratched out seven victories, including wins over Florida, Auburn and a 38-21 rout of North Carolina… Beamer addressed his quarterback issues by bringing in former Oklahoma starter Rattler and signing three high school passers. Bailey was the No. 6 pocket passer and Davis was the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback, according to ESPN recruiting."

Big Game Boomer – #25

Social media account Big Game Boomer placed the Gamecocks in their initial poll, with South Carolina landing another 25th ranking.

The site lists South Carolina as the seventh-best team in the SEC with Alabama out in front.

Athlon Sports – Teams To Watch

Finally, Athlon Sports listed the Gamecocks as a ‘team to watch’ ahead of 2022.

"The arrow is trending up on Shane Beamer’s program entering 2022. The Gamecocks exceeded preseason expectations and followed up the on-field success with a huge addition in the transfer portal in former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler. The junior immediately boosts South Carolina’s quarterback room to among the best in the SEC. Also, receiver Josh Vann opted to return for an extra year, giving Rattler a No. 1 target in ’22… Rattler’s arrival should help South Carolina push for a spot in the top 25."

If the Gamecocks are able to land a spot in the initial AP Poll later this offseason, it will mark South Carolina’s first preseason top 25 ranking since 2014.