South Carolina football begins its SEC slate on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores in a matchup that could set the tone for both programs this season. With playmakers on both sides, here are the players to watch:
South Carolina Gamecocks
Vicari Swain, DB
Swain is listed as a defensive back, but his biggest impact so far has come on special teams. Against SC State, the redshirt sophomore electrified the crowd with not just one, but two, punt return touchdowns. His first went for 64 yards, and the second came on a 43-yard return after a blocked punt. Add in another punt return in the previous game against Virginia Tech, and Swain is not tied for the most punt return scores in a single season at South Carolina.
Dylan Stewart, EDGE
Stewart is chasing his own slice of program history at South Carolina. The sophomore edge rusher logged his second sack of the year against SC State, bringing him within striking distance of Jadeveon Clowney's 13-sack single-season record from 2012. Stewart will line up against a Vanderbilt offensive line that has allowed just one sack through two games.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Diego Pavia, QB
The senior quarterback is the bread and butter of Clark Lea's offense. After a 2,293-yard, 20-touchdown season in 2024, Pavia has already thrown for 463 yards and five touchdowns in two games so far this fall. Pavia struggled against South Carolina last season, finishing with 166 yards and no scores. However, he will enter this matchup with confidence after leading a 44-20 comeback win at Virginia Tech.
Nick Rinaldi, LB
Rinaldi is a classic SEC grinder, a former walk-on who became Vanderbilt's sack leader in 2024. He looked disruptive in the game against the Hokies, recording six tackles and a sack. His physical presence will test South Carolina's O-line on Saturday. And if Vanderbilt has a chance at slowing down LaNorris Sellers, Rinaldi will have to be at the center of it.
Both teams bring momentum into Columbia, but these four players could swing the outcome in a matchup that will set the tone early for the SEC race.
South Carolina 2025 Full Football Schedule:
Aug. 31: USC 24, Virginia Tech 11
Sept. 6: USC 38, SC State 10
Sept. 13 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 or 7:45 pm (ESPN or SEC Network)
Sept. 20 at Missouri - TBD
Sept. 27 vs. Kentucky - TBD
Oct. 11 at No. 9 LSU - TBD
Oct. 18 vs. No. 18 Oklahoma - TBD
Oct. 25 vs. No. 8 Alabama - TBD
Nov. 1 at No. 21 Ole Miss - TBD
Nov. 15 at No. 19 Texas A&M - TBD
Nov. 22 vs. Coastal Carolina - TBD
Nov. 29 vs. No. 4 Clemson - Noon (ABC or ESPN)