As the 2025 season gets closer, South Carolina football finds itself in some unfamiliar territory: right in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation. If the Gamecocks want to live up to the hype, Shane Beamer and company will need some breakout performances on the field, especially on the defense. During the offseason, the Gamecocks have seen several departures in the secondary to the NFL, causing a lot of questions as to what the backfield is going to look like in the defensive backfield. But that just might have been answered, thanks to a game-changing transfer portal addition: Brandon Cisse.
Cisse is a former NC State defensive back that has been labeled as the "hidden gem" of this portal season. Last year, Cisse recorded a career-best 28 tackles and five pass breakups. He consistently showed off the kind of physicality and instincts that Coach Beamer needs on his squad. Cisse is versatile, experienced, and underrated.
“Cisse brings the size and positional flexibility to play cornerback, nickel, or safety,” wrote CBS Sports' Brad Crawford. “If defensive coordinator Clayton White wants to let him roam in certain packages, Cisse can handle that role, too.”
Cisse's arrival may not have made many headlines when he hit the portal, or when he committed to South Carolina, but he's going to be making them once the season kicks off. South Carolina opens their season on Sunday, August 31, in Atlanta against Viginia Tech. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.