South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer sat down with The Postgame Show with Jay Philips and Elijah Campbell on 107.5 The Game to talk about how the Gamecocks’ offseason was going and to look ahead to spring ball.
Takeaways from SEC Meetings in New Orleans
Beamer described the annual SEC head coaches’ meeting as productive, especially with athletic directors included this year.
“We always meet in person in February, but it’s always been just head coaches in Birmingham,” Beamer said. “Commissioner Sankey wanted to include athletic directors this year, and I’m glad he did. It was a great opportunity to hear their perspectives and for them to hear ours.”
The meetings covered major topics in college football, including:
• Transfer portal and its impact on roster management
• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and revenue sharing
• SEC scheduling, including a potential nine-game format
• College Football Playoff expansion and selection criteria
• Recruiting calendar changes
• Officiating concerns
Beamer emphasized the importance of having coaches and ADs aligned in decision-making.
Nine-Game SEC Schedule: Strong Opinions on Both Sides
A potential move to a nine-game SEC schedule was one of the most debated topics.
“That was the one discussion where both coaches and ADs had the most to say,” Beamer noted. “Some are in favor of it, and some aren’t. There are a lot of strong opinions.”
One concern Beamer raised was the uneven scheduling if some teams play nine SEC games plus two Power Four opponents while others do not.
“If we’re all playing nine conference games, plus two Power Four games, great—bring it on,” he said. “But if some teams aren’t, then that’s a competitive imbalance.”
With the future of the College Football Playoff still uncertain—whether it remains at 12 teams or expands to 16—coaches and ADs want clarity before committing to additional conference games.
Could an SEC vs. Big Ten Challenge Happen?
Beamer personally asked Commissioner Sankey about the rumored SEC vs. Big Ten challenge, and it’s something the league is considering.
“I think our fans would love it,” he said. “Williams-Brice Stadium is an amazing environment no matter who we play, but fans want to see marquee matchups.”
While Beamer supports the idea, he again stressed the need for fairness in scheduling.
“If every team is playing nine conference games, a Big Ten team, and two other money games, great,” he said. “But we need to ensure it’s the right move for everyone.”
Another factor is how strength of schedule impacts CFP selection.
“It clearly didn’t matter this year,” Beamer pointed out. “If it’s not going to factor into the playoff, we need to consider if this is the best move for our program.”
South Carolina’s Strong NFL Draft Presence
Beamer expressed pride in the Gamecocks’ NFL prospects, with 11 players invited to the NFL Combine and others still expected to sign with teams.
“In past years, we went into draft weekend hoping to see guys picked late,” he said. “Now, we have first-round talent and a deep group of guys ready for the next level.”
He highlighted players like Xavier Legette, who was a first-round pick in 2024, and Marcellas Dial, now with the New England Patriots.
“To see guys like that come back and visit shows what this program means to them,” he said. “Whether they came here out of high school or transferred in, we’re proud to have helped them chase their NFL dreams.”
2025 Gamecocks: New Leadership, Same Hunger
Despite an improved 2024 season, Beamer made it clear the team isn’t satisfied.
“We did a lot of good things in 2024, but our mindset is to take it even further in 2025,” he said. “We’re working hard to make sure our guys understand the effort it took to get here.”
One major difference this year? Leadership turnover.
“Last year, we had an older team with established leaders,” Beamer said. “This year, we have a lot of talent, but we’re young. It’s about finding the guys who will step up.”
He pointed to former leaders like Debo Williams, Boogie Huntley, and D. Knight, noting that new voices must emerge in 2025.
LaNorris Sellers: The Face of the Gamecocks’ Future
One of the biggest changes from last year? The rise of quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
“At this time last year, no one was really talking about him,” Beamer said. “Some preseason rankings had him 16th in the league. Now, it’s the complete opposite.”
Sellers’ profile has skyrocketed nationally, but Beamer praised his humility and work ethic.
“He’s hungry, he’s driven, and he doesn’t let the attention go to his head,” he said. “His life has changed a lot in the last year, but he’s handling it the right way.”
Beamer is especially excited about Sellers’ relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Shula.
“They’ve been working really well together,” he said. “Anytime you have a quarterback, you have a chance to be successful. We certainly have a quarterback in him.”
Final Thoughts
From conference realignment to NFL Draft prospects and quarterback development, South Carolina football is in a transformative phase heading into 2025.
While SEC scheduling and playoff criteria remain uncertain, Beamer is focused on ensuring the Gamecocks remain competitive on all fronts.
And with LaNorris Sellers leading the offense, South Carolina is poised to take another step forward next season.