The national media is taking notice of South Carolina football. After the conclusion of the 2025 SEC Media Days, the Gamecocks were making headlines as they were well represented on the Preseason All-SEC Team, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart earning First-Team honors. In addition, defensive back Jalon Kilgore was also recognized, making the Second-Team Defense.
Sellers, a redshirt sophomore from Florence, South Carolina, enters the season as one of the most talked-about QBs in the SEC. At 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, his dual-threat ability and leadership are expected to anchor the offense for South Carolina in 2025.
Edge rusher Dylan Stewart, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound sophomore from Washington, D.C., also earned First-Team honors after his breakout season last year. Stewart has quickly developed into one of the league's most feared pass rushers. He has also been talked about as a potential early-round pick for the NFL Draft.
Defensive back Jalon Kilgore, a junior from Eatonton, Georgia, was recognized for Second-Team honors. Kilgore is the leader of South Carolina's secondary and has already made a name for himself with big plays and consistent coverage for the Gamecocks.
In addition, the Gamecocks have also gained momentum beyond individual accolades. In the 2025 SEC Preseason Media Poll, South Carolina was picked to finish fifth in the conference, receiving five votes to win the SEC Championship, behind Texas with 96 votes, Georgia with 44, Alabama with 29, and LSU with 20.
With rising stars like Sellers and Stewart leading the charge, the Gamecocks are no longer flying under the radar. South Carolina opens the 2025 season on August 31 in a neutral-site matchup at the Merecedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against Virginia Tech. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET and will be aired nationally on ESPN.