It's finally here, fall camp for the South Carolina Gamecocks is upon us, and we're less than a month away from Game 1 against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Gamecocks look to go 1-0 on August 31st in Atlanta, GA, for the neutral site kickoff to the season. Head coach Shane Beamer is setting the tone already with his 2025 team, "Come out here with the mentality to get better...there is no ceiling on what we can do as a team. There's no ceiling." If that does not get you fired up, what will?
That said, there is a player on the Gamecocks who's always carried that mentality through their first two years under Beamer and the staff. Junior defensive back Jalon Kilgore is looking to build off of a stellar sophomore season in 2024 and take it to another level in 2025. After having 31 solo and 48 combined tackles, along with an SEC conference-leading five interceptions in 13 games, Kilgore is poised to pop off once again. After two seasons in Columbia, he has 77 solo, 47 assisted, and 124 combined tackles in 25 games for the Gamecocks. Oh, he also has six interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one forced fumble for good measure.
If there is someone who should be on the watchlist for the All-SEC defense, again, at the end of the 2025 season, it's Kilgore. He was named to the All-SEC second team in 2024, but there is a feeling he can make the first team this upcoming campaign for the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks have been given a 20.3% chance to make the College Football Playoff, and Kilgore will be one of the guys on the defense to help lead the way. Between him, DQ Smith, and Dylan Stewart, there is no telling where this Gamecocks team will go, especially with those three leading the way on the defense.
The fact that Kilgore had three tackles for loss in 2024, along with his total of five in two seasons, and his impressive tackle and interception numbers, suggests that he should be mentioned more when discussing the Gamecocks' defense. Regarding the talks about Smith and Stewart, it is warranted to consider what they can do for Beamer and the Gamecocks; however, Kilgore should also be included in those discussions.
Kilgore led the SEC with five interceptions in 2024, and could do that again, maybe even more with how the Gamecocks' defense has been the bread & butter the last couple of seasons. The Gamecocks and the defense will have their work cut out for them, especially in SEC play, with the seventh toughest schedule in college football. However, they have proven time and time again how they step up in clutch moments when called upon. There is no doubt that this team, especially the defense, can get the job done to make the CFP.
If there is one person who can help lead the defense along with Stewart and Smith, look no further than Kilgore. Expect a huge junior season from the defensive back from Eatonton, GA.