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South Carolina football could be in for huge turnaround with latest ESPN metric rank

Could the Gamecocks be in for a big season in 2026? One measurement suggests they could.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer leads his team onto the field before their game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer leads his team onto the field before their game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

The Gamecocks are in the heart of spring football, and South Carolina is looking to have a much better finish than its 4-8 one in 2025. One way to do that is having an established roster in-place. 

Well, one outlet that is high on South Carolina's experience heading into 2026 is ESPN. On Monday, Bill Connelly released his annual spring football returning production percentages for all 138 FBS teams. Sitting at No. 5 overall are the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina is behind the likes of Notre Dame at No. 1, Maryland, Nebraska and Virginia Tech. 

The returning production figure looks at the starters a team has returning from last season, in addition to taking into account incoming transfer players with starting experience. Here's where South Carolina checks in on both sides of the ball in the metric: 

  • Overall returning production: 68% (5th nationally)
  • Offense: 76% (2nd nationally) 
  • Defense: 61% (30th nationally)

As you can see, the biggest returnees in Columbia are on the offensive side of the ball. The biggest names returning include quarterback LaNorris Sellers, leading receiver Nyck Harbor, tight end Brady Hunt and offensive lineman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. 

ALSO READ: South Carolina basketball loses three transfers in three days

On defense, EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart is still making his way back from last season's back injury. Also returning are linebackers Fred Johnson, Justin Okoronkwo and defensive backs Judge Collier and Peyton Williams.  

South Carolina also got big-time transfers like offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak from NC State, defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye from Illinois, former Texas running back Christian Clark and EDGE rusher Caleb Herring. 

Connelly is quick to point out that returning production doesn't always equal on-field success—last season's leader Clemson, which finished 7-6. 

But South Carolina fans can certainly be optimistic about the roster outlook heading into the 2026 season.   

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