The 2025 season has yet to kick off, but the national recognition is already rolling in for South Carolina Football. Athlon Sports dropped its 2025 Preseason All-SEC and All-American teams on Tuesday, and the Gamecocks were well-represented. The Gamecocks placed six players on Athlon's All-SEC squads and had two players earn preseason All-American honors.
On offense, quarterback LaNorris Sellers, offensive lineman Josiah Thomson, and wide receiver Nyck Harbor were all recognized:
- Sellers, South Carolina's electric sophomore quarterback, earned a Third-Team All-SEC honors.
- Thompson, the five-star tackle from Dillion, also made Third-Team, listed simply as an offensive lineman by Athlon.
- Harbor, the track star turned receiver, earned a spot on the Fourth Team.
The defensive side featured three more Gamecocks. EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart, defensive back Jalon Kilgore, and safety DQ Smith all received honors:
- Stewart, who is already building a case as one of the best pass rushers in the country, was named First-Team All-SEC and earned First-Team All-American status as a defensive lineman.
- Kilgore landed on the Second Team and was labeled as a corner despite playing nickel and safety.
- Smith rounded off the group on the Fourth Team as a safety.
Adding to the Gamecock buzz, Sellers also joined Stewart as a preseason All-American, earning Fourth-Team Quarterback honors. Stewart was previously featured on Athlon's "way too early" All-American list as well. And his stock keeps rising.
Gamecock fans have known this core group of South Carolina football players is special. Now, the national spotlight is catching on as well.