In college football, momentum starts with elite talent staying put. And for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the 2026 blueprint seems to be coming together. Three of the program's most impactful playmakers- LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart, and Nyck Harbor- have all officially committed to returning for the 2026 season. Electing continuity over moving on is the kind of foundational stability you don't buy, you earn.
- LaNorris Sellers, the signal-caller that defined the offense with poise and production, is coming back to lead the charge. His decision to stay isn't just about the experience in Columbia, it's about identity.
- Nyck Harbor, fresh off his best statistical season yet and one of the most explosive receivers on the Gamecock roster, chose another year in garnet and black over the NFL Draft. His return signals belief in the team’s trajectory and his own growth within it.
- And Dylan Stewart, the defensive force, returning on the edge giving this defense real anchor strength entering a pivotal 2026 campaign.
This trifecta isn't just a returning class. This kind of commitment is the kind of continuity that is a market advantage in college football, especially in an era defined by transfers and early draft declarations.
New Leadership, New Expectations
The 2026 season won't just be defined by the star talent returning, but also the strategic leadership evolution. After a tough 2025 season, the program hit reset in ways that matter and will make a difference. If the returning playmakers gives you stability, the revamped staff gives direction.
Innovation is part of the plan, analytics-driven decision making, optimized player development and scheme versatility are all expected to be elevated. An offense built around Sellers.
- Kendal Briles, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach: A seasoned play caller with years of OC experience, most recently at TCU where his offenses consistently moved the ball. He comes to Columbia with a mandate to elevate Carolina’s scoring output and creativity.
- Randy Clements, Offensive Line Coach: A 35-year veteran whose job is simple but crucial: fix the trenches. Clements brings stability and the run-blocking fundamentals the Gamecocks desperately need.
- Stan Drayton, Assistant Head Coach for Offense / Running Backs Coach: A battle-tested coach with NFL and national championship experience developing elite backs. His role goes beyond technique, adding culture and toughness.
- Deion Barnes, Defensive Ends & Outside Linebackers Coach: A youthful, high-energy defensive line mentor from Penn State who’s coached NFL draft talent. He’ll help turbocharge the pass rush and edge play.
The mix of innovation, experience, and positional expertise is not a haphazard staff build. It is a strategic, and much needed, pivot.
The 2026 Gamecock Vision
This is a defining inflection point for South Carolina. The talent returning, combined with strategic coaching upgrades, blends hope with star power.
Experience equals execution. There are few things that compare to a quarterback and top weapons who know the huddle, the playbook, and one another's tendencies. Returning stars also drives recruiting. When players like Harbor, a former five-star with NFL aspirations, chooses return over exit, it sends a clear signal to future talent. And lastly, stability breeds confidence in a team. In an era of portal volatility, keeping your best players is a competitive edge.
Beyond the X's and O's, there is momentum at play here, with fans, recruits, and even the broader SEC narrative will once again see South Carolina as a program with conviction. That tangible belief is a luxury that most 4-8 teams don't get to cultivate.
The 2026 season isn't a rebuild year. It is a reclaim year, a chance for South Carolina to reset expectations, unify the locker room, reclaim competitiveness, re-energize a fan base, and make measurable progress.
The pieces are in place. The experience is returning. The leadership is leaning in. The only thing left is execution.