The 2025 football roster for the South Carolina Gamecocks is finally starting to take shape. Over the spring, Shane Beamer and his staff hit the transfer portal hard, reloading several key positions while continuing to develop returners. With several notable additions, the Gamecocks are building a championship squad in year 4 of Beamer Ball.
From quarterback to the secondary, here is how the South Carolina depth chart is projected to look as summer workouts begin in Columbia.
Quarterbacks
- Starter: LaNorris Sellers, the redshirt sophomore will resume as the Gamecocks' starting quarterback. Sellers had a breakout season late in 2024 and signed a new NIL deal as part of his return for the 2025 season.
- Backup: With veteran backups Dante Reno and Robby Ashford entering the portal, the team will rely on the younger quarterbacks. One of those QBs is South Carolina's incoming signee Cutter Woods will compete for the No. 2 spot.
Running Backs
- Projected Starters: While Shane Beamer anxiously waits on the NCAA to grant an eligibility waiver for Rahsul Faison to play, the starting position is on hold. Meanwhile, the competition between returning veteran Oscar Adaway III (seventh-year senior) and redshirt sophomore Jawarn Howell for carries.
- Key Returners: Adaway is a redshirt senior led South Carolina in rushing last season and brings experience to the roster. Howell is a redshirt sophomore did not see as much game time as a freshman but is expected to have an expanded role in 2025. Redshirt freshman Matt Fuller also saw some snaps in 2024, and all four of these players will increase the depth chart for 2025.
Wide Receivers
- Projected Starters: The wide receiver room returns junior Nyck Harbor and sophomore Mazeo Bennett Jr. as the veteran group. Both saw significant game time in 2024 and are expected to be on the field early and often for the 2025 season.
- Newcomers: A four-star 2025 recruiting class provides a good bit of depth for the upcoming season. Recruits Malik Clark, Lex Cyrus, and Brian Rowe Jr. are on campus and will add speed and size behind the returning vets.
Tight Ends
- Returning Players: The returners are an experienced but unproven unit heading into the season. Veterans redshirt senior Brady Hunt and junior Maurice Brown lead the position group. While rising sophomore Michael Smith is also returning after missing the spring reps with an injury.
- Incoming Transfer: The Gamecocks lost Josh Simon to the NFL, but retained Kentucky transfer redshirt senior Jordan Dingle adds an experienced, pass-catching tight end to the roster. Dingle had 43 career catches at Kentucky.
Offensive Line:
- Departures: Team captain and Gamecock veteran Vershon Lee headed to the NFL, and OL Jakai Moore entered the transfer portal and ultimately signed with the North Carolina. Redshirt senior guard Torricelli Simpkins also received an NLF opportunity. These losses on the roster leave multiple slots to fill on the line.
- Returners and Additions: Troy transfer Boaz Stanley has emerged as the projected new center. Other holdovers on the roster include Kamaar Bell (redshirt senior, interior line), Chase Sweigart (redshirt senior tackle), and Mac Walters (redshirt sophomore interior). Redshirt sophomore Ryan Brubaker (tackle) and redshirt freshman Campbell Vandiver (tackle) are also returning. Freshmen Jake Recker, Josiah Thompson, and Blake Franks will contend for spots as well. Overall, Boaz Stanley (center) and veterans Kamaar Bell and Chase Sweigart are projected starters, with the younger players competing to fill the remaining guard and tackle slots.
Defensive Line and Edge Rushers
- Anchor Tackles: Freshman All-American Dylan Stewart (end/defensive tackle) and JUCO signee Zavion Hardy (tackle) will anchor the front. They are both returning sophomores with high expectations, stepping in for departed talents Kyle Kennard, TJ Sanders, and Tonka Hemingway.
- EDGE: The Gamecocks added two high-profile EDGE rushers with former 5-star Demon Clowney and long-time re-commit George Wilson. Clowney, a Louisville transfer and Wilson, a Campbel transfer, are upper classmen who will start immediately at defensive end. Also in the mix are JUCO transfer defensive tackle Troy Pikes and Jamaal Whyce, providing depth inside. The projected line for the 2025 season features Stewart and Hardy inside and Clowney and Wilson on the edges.
Linebackers
- Projected Starters: Alabama transfer Justin Okoronkwo (redshirt sophomore) and freshman Donovan Darden are expected to suit up as the starters at linebacker. Both are in their first season at South Carolina.
- Others: The linebacker corps is otherwise quite young. The Gamecocks will have to lean heavily on Okoronkwo and Darden to lead this group.
Defensive Backs:
- Losses: Star safety Nick Emmanwori is now in the NFL and cornerback Emory Floyd entered the portal. The loss on the secondary may have lost its veteran leader but still returns some key talent.
- Returners: Rising junior safety Jalon Kilgore, who has started for the past two seasons, has signed an NIL deal to stay on campus. He will be the on-field leader in the upcoming season. JUCO transfer Brandon Cisse is another proven piece in the defensive backfield. Kilgore and Cisse will be expected to shoulder most of the secondary's responsibility.
The Gamecocks have some position battles to settle before the season starts, but the roster foundation is in place. With LaNorris Sellers leading the offense, promising new talent at receiver, and new and familiar faces on both sides of the ball, South Carolina has addressed some major roster needs. As summer reps start and the season start looms, solidifying chemistry, staying healthy, and preparing for a season that could be a turning point for Beamer and the program.