The South Carolina Gamecocks opened preseason camp with an unexpected addition to the quarterback room. Brandon Cunningham, a former T. L. Hanna High School standout, has officially joined the team, through his road to Columbia nearly went in a very different direction.
Beamer's First Impression
Shane Beamer first noticed Cunningham last summer at a camp just before Cunningham's senior season. Playing at quarterback, Cunningham impressed the coaching staff with his size, speed, and physicality. But the Gamecocks head coach envisioned him making an impact elsewhere.
“Really impressive, playing quarterback for his school, obviously,” Beamer recalled. “With your size and the way you run … we really think you could potentially be a receiver or defensive back.”
But Cunningham was firm in his plan to continue as QB, going on to lead T.L. Hanna as the starter and earning all-region honors during his senior year.
A Call That Changed Everything
After graduation, Cunningham was accepted into the University of South Carolina, but had no plans to play football. Beamer got word of that decision and decided to reach out to him.
“I called him up and said, ‘Hey, bud. If you’re coming here and you want to play football, we’d love to have you,’” Beamer said.
That one phone call changed the course of Cunningham's summer, and he quickly jumped into the Gamecocks' summer workouts in June, enduring strength coach Luke Day's demanding program. “He wasn’t even planning on playing football,” Beamer said. “A week later, he’s out here getting his face blown off by Coach Day. I’m proud of him.”
Cunningham's Role in 2025
For now, Cunningham will be wearing a green jersey in camp as part of the QB group, giving the Gamecocks an extra arm alongside Luke Doty, LaNorris Sellers, Cutter Woods, Air Noland, and Jimmy Francis. However, Beamer still envisions him in a different spot. “I do think long term, his position is probably receiver or defensive back,” Beamer said. “Right now, he’s just working at quarterback to help that room.”
A Future to Watch
Cunningham's journey to Columbia may have been unexpected, but his story is just the beginning. Whether his future is under center or in another position, his athleticism and willingness to embrace opportunity will give him an opportunity to carve out a role in the Gamecocks' program.