South Carolina is set to take on No. 20 Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in three weeks and has officially gotten back to practice. However, there was one person that was missing that unfortunately won't join the Gamecocks anymore.
After declaring for the NFL, as everyone figured he would, Kyle Kennard talked with head coach Shane Beamer and informed him he would be opting out of the bowl game against Illinois to prepare for the draft.
Kennard was the top player on the South Carolina defense, and it showed as he was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the best defensive player in college, was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
After spending four years at Georgia Tech, Kennard decided to make the move to join Beamer and the Gamecocks for his final year of college eligibility. Taking that final year was the best thing Kennard could have done, and Gamecock fans are happy he chose to take it with South Carolina.
The star pass rusher totaled 11.5 sacks on the season with 20 solo tackles, 16 quarterback pressures, and three forced fumbles. Kennard is most likely opting out of the bowl game as to not risk an injury before the NFL Combine in a few months.
Even though South Carolina won't have Kennard, other than one other player that Beamer did not name, the Gamecocks should be at full strength for the bowl against the Fighting Illini. Dylan Stewart will have yet another game to shine and show South Carolina they were not wrong in giving him a huge NIL deal.
The No. 15 Gamecocks are set to take on No. 20 Illinois in Camp World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on December 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EST.