By the end of the 2024 season, South Carolina had become of the most dangerous teams in the SEC, a far cry from the disappointing 5-7 finish in 2023. The Gamecocks defense was one of the driving forces behind the that 2024 campaign, pushing the squad to a 9-4 season. Now as the 2025 season begins, the question that looms is whether or not the defense can once again carry the load.
During the offseason last year, doubts swirled around the Gamecocks' defense following an inconsistent 2023 campaign, although those concerns didn't last long. By the month of October, South Carolina was holding its own against the league's best teams, thanks in part to a commitment to the fundamentals of football.
Heading into the 2025 season, the biggest challenge for the Gamecocks will be replacing the leadership and production of impact players such as Nick Emmanwori, TJ Sanders, Kyle Kennard, and Demetrius Knight Jr. In addition, veteran contributors like Tonka Hemingway, Alex Huntley, Debo Williams, and Bam Martin-Scott have moved on, leaving major voids in the trenches and at linebacker.
If anything, the Gamecocks are great at replacing talent on both sides of the ball, developing transfer talent into high-level contributors, and the roster for 2025 features several new faces with potential. Defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine, linebacker Shawn Murphy, and cornerback Brandon Cisse are all expected to play significant snaps this fall, with the hope that they can mirror some of the rapid development of their predecessors.
While the Gamecocks lost some major names, they do return several key playmakers, EDGE Dylan Stewart leads the charge after an explosive freshman campaign in which he posted 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Already considered one of the top defensive players in the nation, Stewart's blend of burst and blocking ability will force opposing offenses to create a gameplan against him. All eyes on Stewart could open opportunities for other defenders to make moves as well. Senior EDGE Bryan Thomas Jr., who recorded 4.5 sacks last year, could see increased production.
At the linebacker position, sophomore Fred Johnson is set to step up into the starting mike role, where his physicality and range will be critical in anchoring the front seven. In the secondary, safety DQ Smith will be tasked with filling the shoes of Emmanwori after appearing in 12 games and recording an interception in 2024. Smith's ability to bring stability to the back end will be key in maintaining last season's defensive standard.
The 2025 season opens with a neutral-site showdown against Virginia Tech on August 30 in Atlanta. It will be a perfect early test for a retooled Gamecocks defense that is eager to prove last season's success was no fluke. If returning leaders and the incoming transfers can mesh quickly, South Carolina has the remaining pieces to be one of the most feared defensive units in the nation again. The margin of error will be slim, especially in conference play, but if the Gamecocks can clean up the minor mistakes that cost them close games last season, the sky is the limit.