South Carolina Football: 5 questions facing the Gamecocks for 2025
By Jeff Moeller
Published:
For South Carolina, expectations will be high this season.
But are the Gamecocks fully armed to be a postseason contender?
The 13th-ranked Gamecocks will begin the 2025 campaign against the Hokies of Virginia Tech at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sputtering at the start of last season with a 3-3 slate, the Gamecocks finally turned aggressive, winning 6 of their final 7 contests to finish with an overall 9-4 slate (5-3 conference) and a No. 19 ranking in the AP College Poll. Their season ended in a hard-fought 21-14 loss to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl.
The Gamecocks also have their eyes set on being one of the elite 12 in the College Football Playoff field when the regular season comes to an end.
This will be the first meeting between the Gamecocks and Hokies since 1991, when South Carolina pulled out a 27-21 victory. The Gamecocks lead the overall series, 11-7-2, and have a 2-game winning streak.
Virginia Tech, under fourth-year head Brent Pry, recorded an overall 6-7 record last season.
Is South Carolina ready for a magical run this fall? Here are some burning questions and some possible scenarios that will determine their fate.
Can Shane Beamer light the way?
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, who was the SEC Coach of the Year last season, begins his fifth season at the helm with an overall 29-22-1 record and a 1-2 mark in bowl games.
The opener will be special for Beamer, who played for the Hokies under his father, Frank Beamer, and he later served as an assistant there.
Beamer took over the program in 2021 after a disappointing 2-8 season. He turned it around with a 7-6 record in 2021. The following year, Beamer took another step forward with an 8-5 mark before the Gamecocks dipped to 5-7 in 2023.
With an expected Playoff berth, Beamer will again need to definitely duplicate and likely surpass last year’s performance.
Is there a top Seller?
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is already considered a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy, as well as potential top-5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition, he also is being considered for the Manning Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Norris also was named as the SEC’s preseason first-team quarterback.
His anticipated skills and rising stock have brought as much hype to the program as former signal caller Spencer Rattler, who will be the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback.
As a first-year starter last season, Sellers completed 100 of 149 passes (67.1%) and threw for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also was effective on the ground, rushing for 674 yards and scoring 7 touchdowns.
During the team’s 6-game winning streak, Sellers emerged as one of the nation’s standouts. Over the 6 games, Sellers threw for 1,481 yards with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, and he ran for 436 yards with 4 rushing touchdowns.
But the Gamecocks will go as Sellers goes. He will be the key to the season, and will be scrutinized even more this year. The pressure will be on, and Sellers will need to get off to a good start.
Is there a supporting cast?
Too often, Sellers was counted on to be a 1-man show last year. In 2025, the question is — does he have enough weapons around him?
The Gamecocks lost tight end Josh Simon, who lead the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Running back Raheem “Rocket” Sanders, who was an effective running mate with Sanders and ran for 881 yards, is also gone.
They will look for Utah State transfer Rashul Faison and returning RB Oscar Adaway III (295 yards, 3 touchdowns) to get the first looks in the backfield.
On the outside, Mazeo Bennett is their leading returning receiver with 30 catches last season, and Nyck Harbor caught 26 balls in 2025.
Coastal Carolina transfer Jared Brown and Florida State transfer Vandrevius Jacobs will both have to flourish quickly as contributors. The Gamecocks also have a flock of budding freshman wide receivers, many of whom are projected to make an impact deeper into the season.
New offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who brings the family name and plenty of his own experience, will need to develop plenty of schemes to keep the bullseye off his quarterback.
Can the defense maintain its presence?
Last season, the Gamecocks were fourth in total defense, third in sacks, and tied for fourth in interceptions in the SEC. South Carolina was ranked 13th defensively overall in the country, allowing 18.1 points per game, 112.2 yards rushing, and 204.4 yards passing.
However, the Gamecocks lost 3 of their 4 defensive lineman. They also were hit with losses in the secondary.
Dylan Stewart (10. 5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks last season) is considered one of the best edge rushers in the nation. Safety Jayson Kilgore (5 interceptions) is back to anchor the secondary.
Like the offense, USC’s defense will need to form a firm foundation in the opening weeks to have a lasting effect.
What’s the final outcome?
In spite of some inexperience and growth spurts throughout the season, the Gamecocks have a favorable schedule that should land them – barring any major injuries – on the doorstep of the CFP.
With Sellers’ foreseeable success, South Carolina could easily march out to a 5-0 start with victories over Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Kentucky — all matchups in which they would probably be favorites.
They would hit some road bumps with LSU, Oklahoma, and Alabama, but they could recover with matchups against Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Coastal Carolina.
Their usual finale with Clemson could prove to be one of the best college games of the year, and it also could hold huge postseason ramifications for both teams.
How does 9-3 sound? If it all blends together, it’s certainly possible.
What’s ahead? Wait and see. It all begins for Sellers and his team Sunday afternoon.
