40 days 'til South Carolina football kickoff, a look at number 40, kicker Alex Herrera

The South Carolina football program has had a strong run of kickers. Mitch Jeter, who transferred for his final year to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is the most accurate field goal kicker in program history. Parker White and Elliott Fry were the two starters before Jeter, and they finished their respective careers as the Gamecocks' all-time leading scorer (Fry first, then White, who now owns the record).

Now, there is a little bit of uncertainty at the position, but with 40 days to go until the opening kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium, it appears as if #40 Alex Herrera will be the starter at the position.

Herrera is a former walk-on from Spring Valley High School who came back for his sixth year of college ball after being put on scholarship. The four-time Academic All-SEC team member is battling with a couple of walk-ons in Peyton Argent, Daniel Lester, and William Joyce for the job, and there is a chance that backup punter Mason Love could be involved, as well. However, based on this spring, Herrera is the man for the job.

Herrera has played a little during his career. While backing up Mitch Jeter, Herrera got in for a handful of extra points, banging all four of his attempts through the uprights. He also has logged a pair of touchbacks on kickoffs.

If he holds onto the starting position, Herrera will be reunited in the snapper-kicker relationship with former high school teammate Hunter Rogers. Rogers, an All-SEC selection in 2023, was one year behind Herrera at Spring Valley High School.

With the importance of the kicker position, Herrera will be a vital piece of the South Carolina football puzzle this fall. If he can be a consistent performer who puts the Gamecock defense in good spots after his kickoffs and makes the majority of his field goals (and all of his extra points), the transition from Jeter will be a smooth one, and the Gamecocks will be off to a good special teams start under new coordinator Joe DeCamillis.