South Carolina Gamecocks News: Football, injuries, recruiting, and basketball updates

The latest South Carolina Gamecocks News, starting with no good news for the football team…

After last week’s Florida loss, head coach Shane Beamer broke his foot kicking a cooler in frustration, and the media took the story and ran with it all week.

This past Saturday’s game against Missouri was a disaster. The 34-12 final score was closer than the game felt as the Gamecocks were dominated. The defense was abysmal other than a short stretch in the 3rd quarter, and the offensive line didn’t give the Gamecocks a chance most of the time when they had the ball.

Injuries keep piling up for the program. In addition to all the other ailments that have plagued the roster this season, offensive lineman Vershon Lee missed the Missouri game and could miss against Texas A&M. Wide receiver Xavier Legette and offensive tackle Tree Babalade left the Missouri game. Guard Tro Baugh, wide receiver Ahmarean Brown, and offensive tackle Cason Henry join Lee, Legette, and Babalade as major contributors being “questionable” for next week.

The future of the program got a little bit of good news.

2024 defensive tackle Marcus Downs doesn’t have a Gamecock offer yet, but he could receive one now that he has decommitted from Georgia Tech. USC needs a defensive tackle in the class, and if they miss out on D’Nas White, Downs potentially could be a late add to the class.

Marshall Pritchett, a 2025 tight end target who is from South Carolina but plays in Georgia, was bumped up to a 4th star in the recruiting rankings.

Intriguing ’25 linebacker Antoine Deslauriers put the Gamecocks in his early top-3. He’s fast and hits hard, two important traits for a modern linebacker.

On the “bad news” end of recruiting, 4-star 2024 EDGE Booker Pickett, Jr. announced a commitment to the Miami Hurricanes. He had put the Gamecocks in his top-5 this summer.

Gamecock wide receiver Xavier Legette and defensive back Jalon Kilgore pulled in some more well-deserved accolades.

Senior wide receiver Xavier Legette was named to the midseason All-American list by the Associated Press.

Freshman safety/nickel Jalon Kilgore was named to the midseason Freshman All-American team by the Football Writers Association of America.

Former Gamecocks Darius Rush and Damiere Byrd signed new NFL deals.

Byrd was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after an injury ended his time with the Carolina Panthers.

Rush was signed off of Kansas City’s practice squad to the Pittsburgh Steeler’s active roster.

South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris’ team got a favorable ranking in the preseason KenPom rankings.

Ken Pomeroy ranked the Gamecocks 66th in his preseason rankings, the highest they have been since the 2017 Final Four run. This marks a vast improvement from the 221st spot that USC occupied at the end of last season.

The SEC media was less kind to Carolina.

At SEC Media Days, the Gamecocks were picked to finish dead last (14th) at season’s end. They were also shut out from preseason awards voting and placed no players on the preseason All-SEC squads.

Freshman Collin Murray-Boyles was named the 13th-most impactful freshman for the upcoming season by The Athletic’s Tobias Bass.

Dawn Staley’s team had a little bit better showing in Birmingham.

The Gamecocks were picked 2nd in the conference (behind defending national champs LSU). Kamilla Cardoso made the preseason All-SEC first team.

Carolina also received a 6th-place preseason ranking in the first AP poll of the season, behind LSU, UConn, Iowa, UCLA, and Utah. The Gamecocks play LSU, UConn, and Utah this season.

Point guard Te-Hina Paopao (Nancy Lieberman award), power forward Sania Feagin (Katrina McClain award), and center Kamilla Cardoso (Lisa Leslie award) were all nominated to the preseason watch list of the country’s twenty best players at their respective positions.

The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings called MiLaysia Fulwiley the 3rd-best freshman in college basketball.

Speaking of good showings for the Lady Gamecocks…

South Carolina basketball welcomed Rutgers to Colonial Life Arena for an exhibition in honor of Nikki McCray-Penson.

The game itself was a blowout in favor of the Gamecocks who almost doubled up the Scarlet Knights on the scoreboard, played tremendous defense early, and shot and made the 3-ball better than they have in years. A short summary of the game can be found here.

Former Gamecocks A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates won the WNBA Finals with the Las Vegas Aces.

Wilson was the WNBA Finals MVP, dominating regular season MVP Breanna Stewart all series. The Aces won the series 3-1 in convincing fashion.

South Carolina baseball picked up five commitments last week.

Cameron Appenzeller, a left-handed pitcher in the class of 2025, joined the class.

Peter Mershon, also committing from the 2025 class, is a power-hitting right-hander who can play catcher at the college level.

Ryan Brennecke is also from the ’25 cycle, and the third pledge from last Monday is another left-handed arm.

Brandon Clarke and Henry Prindl, two class of 2024 pitchers, joined the Gamecocks’ recruiting class, as well. Clarke is a high-velocity left-handed pitcher from junior college, and Prindl is a projectable right-hander from the high school ranks.

Two former Gamecocks are in the “final four” of the MLB Postseason, playing in the NLCS and ALCS.

Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Montgomery has been incredible this postseason, and the Rangers will play a game 7 against the Houston Astros tonight for a spot in the World Series.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker has had a nice postseason, as well. The Diamondbacks trail the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and will play game 6 tonight.

Speaking of Christian Walker…

The former Gamecock great is a finalist for the NL Gold Glove at first base. He won the award in 2022.