South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock standout gets new NFL contract

The South Carolina football team picked up a much-needed victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. As it turned out, it wasn’t the only “win” of the weekend for the Gamecocks.

Former South Carolina football stud Zack Bailey signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Chargers when the franchise elevated him to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Bailey is one of the best offensive linemen to ever play for the South Carolina football program, having spent time at guard, tackle, and center during his time in garnet and black. Doing his best work as a guard, Bailey was a two-time All-SEC performer at the position and made a Freshman All-SEC squad splitting time between center and guard.

After graduating from South Carolina after the 2018 college football season, Bailey has spent time with a number of NFL franchises. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he has been on active and/or reserve rosters with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Bailey has battled more than his fair share of injuries as a professional, but he has hung around long enough to be in his 5th season in the NFL. Now healthy and on the active roster at the same time for just the second instance in his career, Bailey will look to make an impact on a Chargers team that initially signed him before the 2022 season.

During his professional career, the Summerville High School alum has played all over the offensive line, but the official press release announcing his active roster deal listed him as an offensive tackle. His only previous game action with the Chargers came on special teams last season.

Bailey and the Chargers will take on the Las Vegas Raiders next week, Sunday, October 1st at 4:05 on CBS.