South Carolina Gamecocks News: Football updates, recruiting info, and updates on some professional Gamecocks

Here is the latest South Carolina Gamecocks News from the last week, starting with the football team’s trip to College Station to play the Texas A&M Aggies.

South Carolina football took their 4th loss in a row on Saturday with a 30-17 defeat at the hands of Texas A&M. Despite USC cutting the lead to one score in the second half, the game never felt in question as the Gamecocks were outmatched on the field and on the sideline, even with a less-than-great effort from the Aggies.

The Gamecocks have some personnel updates, as well.

Freshman 4-star defensive tackle Xavier McLeod was dismissed from the team last week. McLeod, who had some effort and attitude concerns earlier this year, refused to go with the team to Missouri last week and was dismissed early in the week after the team returned.

The Gamecocks’ injury report got even longer after the Texas A&M game. Juice Wells, Cason Henry, Ahmarean Brown, and Vershon Lee remained out, and Tree Babalade was supposed to be out but was forced into action when Trai Jones got hurt.

Jones, Xavier Legette, and Trey Knox left the A&M game with injuries and could not return. Nick Emmanwori, Mario Anderson, Marcellas Dial, and Bryan Thomas all left the game but returned to action.

Another Gamecock has been added to an award watch list.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler is now on the Davey O’Brien watch list. He was inexplicably left off the list during the offseason, but his strong play has forced the O’Brien Foundation to put him on the list. He won’t win the award because of his team’s lack of success in the win-loss column, but this acknowledgment of his effort this season is well-deserved.

The Gamecocks made some waves in recruiting.

2025 wide receiver Jayden Sellers, brother of current USC quarterback LaNorris Sellers, committed to the South Carolina football program. The younger Sellers is a high 3-star prospect who has real speed that will translate to the next level.

5-star ’25 offensive lineman Solomon Thomas announced a top-10 that included the Gamecocks. South Carolina is joined by Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Miami, and Ohio State.

Class of 2024 defensive back target Kaleb Harris announced a commitment to Auburn.

Class of 2025 running back prospect Justin Baker made a public pledge to the Tennessee Vols.

Both Palmetto State rivals have been brought up in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.

The allegations against Carolina stem from online conspiracy theories from bitter Tennessee fans. The Clemson allegations come from unnamed sources within the coaching world, but there does not seem to be any tangible evidence that could implicate the Tigers.

The men’s basketball team was picked to finish last by the SEC coaches.

The Gamecocks were also kept out of the preseason awards/All-SEC teams, as well. The SEC media voted the same way last week.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina basketball team made some big recruiting news.

Borderline 5-star post player Adhel Tac announced her commitment to the program. The 6’5″ center chose the Gamecocks over the North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisville Cardinals, and Georgia Bulldogs.

#2 national prospect Joyce Edwards, a native of Camden, South Carolina, was on campus for a visit this weekend. Edwards is expected to make a commitment before the early signing period ends halfway through November, and South Carolina is considered the favorite in her recruitment.

Somehow in the busy week, Coach Staley made her way out to California to check in on #6 national recruit Kennedy Smith. Smith is heavily considering the Gamecocks.

Aliyah Boston made some news this week.

Boston, though already a WNBA star, is up for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

She also was selected to join Team USA as they prepare for Olympic qualifiers this winter.

So did A’ja Wilson.

Wilson, now a two-time WNBA champ, has been wearing a cast since the WNBA Finals. Apparently, the WNBA’s best player played the back half of the season with a thumb sprain and wrist sprain on her shooting hand/wrist.

A couple of Gamecock legends are squaring off in the World Series.

First baseman Christian Walker (Arizona Diamondbacks) and pitcher Jordan Montgomery (Texas Rangers) are on opposite sides of the World Series matchup. The series is tied 1-1.

Speaking of Christian Walker…

After being nominated for the Rawlings Gold Glove award for National League first basemen last week, Walker won the Fielding Bible award for first basemen.