The South Carolina Gamecocks are entering a pivotal 2026 season. Coming off of a 4-8 season in Columbia, head coach Shane Beamer likely needs to make a bowl or better to keep things rolling in Columbia.Â
Two of the Gamecocks' biggest stars entering the 2026 season are EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart, and offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak. Stewart was limited during spring practices thanks to a back injury he played through for most of the 2025 season, and Peak injured his knee during a team pick-up basketball game. Coach Beamer gave an injury update to Gamecock247 on both guys.Â
"He's able to do a lot more than he was in the spring," Beamer told the outlet of Stewart. "He's in the weight room every day. We have a lifting group at 7 a.m., and he's actually in there about 6:45 every morning getting stuff done before the lifting group actually starts. He's still limited, but he's doing a lot more than he was in the spring. He's in a great frame of mind and on track to be ready to roll in 2026."
When asked how Peak is progressing, the coach added that his status is the "same" as Stewart, and that both have been able to lift and do certain workouts with the rest of the team.Â
Across his two seasons with the Gamecocks, Stewart has accounted for 56 total tackles, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defended. Several NFL mock drafts have him going early in the top-10 for 2027.Â
Peak was one of the top-rated players from the transfer portal this offseason. He spent the first three seasons of his career at NC State, playing in 38 games, and making 13 starts for the Wolfpack last year. He earned first-team All-ACC honors as a left tackle, and finished as the second-highest ranked pass blocker. He should be a major help in pass protection immensely for quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who was sacked 43 times last season. Having better pass protection should help open up Sellers' ground game, as well.Â
Of course, time will truly tell for the status of these two Gamecock stars come fall camp in a couple months. But in the meantime, South Carolina fans can be relieved that per Beamer, both guys are progressing well in their respective rehabs.Â
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