It's officially two weeks away from the start of the 2025 College Football season for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Shane Beamer and his 13th-ranked team are poised to have a huge season in Columbia, starting on August 31 in Atlanta, Georgia. That said, what are three predictions that could happen for the Gamecocks in 2025?
1. Gamecocks Win at least 10 Games
Heading into the season, there have been a plethora of predictions for the Gamecocks' season record. On3 has them winning nine games, and the over/under for total wins is set at 7.5. However, despite the doubters thinking they will max out at nine wins before the bowl games, this team has what it takes to win at least 10 games. While the Gamecocks have a tough five-game SEC gauntlet in the middle of the season, when you have Heisman watchlist finalist LaNorris Sellers, who only got better as the season went on in 2024, it is hard to think that the offense cannot pick up where it left off in 2025.
Before their Cheez-It Bowl game, they finished the regular season with six wins and were one of the hottest teams leading up to the CFP selection. The Gamecocks do have to replace most of their defense and almost the whole special teams unit. Regardless of that, Beamer and the coaching staff have this 13th-ranked team ready to prove their doubters wrong in 2025.
2. Sellers Wins the Heisman
This will be more of a bold prediction; nevertheless, Sellers should be at least a Heisman finalist in 2025. If he is and leads the Gamecocks to a 10-win season and a CFP appearance, there is an argument to be made for Sellers to be a Heisman winner. After a freshman season where he threw for 2,534 yards while rushing for another 674, it's hard not to put stock in Sellers taking that next step in his sophomore season. While having to be an improviser all season, while extending plays with his feet and/or arm power, Sellers was able to throw 18 passing touchdowns and add another seven rushing touchdowns.
If Sellers can throw for around 3,500 yards, while having 25 passing and nine rushing touchdowns, he could set himself up nicely to be in New York City at seasons end. While he will put the tram first, there is no doubt that everyone will be watching Sellers as one of the pillars on the offense, and for the Gamecocks as a whole.
3. Dylan Stewart will be Walter Camp Finalist
Lastly, there is a solid chance that edge rusher Dylan Stewart could be a Walter Camp Finalist for 2025. Early in August, Stewart, along with Sellers, were named as two of the 46 players named to the preseason watchlist for the MVP of the Year Award. During his freshman season, Stewart had 17 solo and 23 total combined tackles for the Gamecocks. Along with those 23 combined tackles, he added 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Stewart is poised for a huge season that could see him getting eight or more sacks in 2025. If he carries his 2024 season and goes to another level for his sophomore season, Stewart could be joining Sellers with some individual hardware. If anything, he has a solid opportunity to be a finalist after leading the Gamecocks in 2025.