🏈 College Football
South Carolina Gamecocks 2025 Season Preview
The Gamecocks have the roster to contend, but if they keep putting the ball on the ground, it won’t matter. Clean it up, and they’re a problem. Slip up again, and 8–4 is the ceiling.
Fumble Once, You’re Cooked. Fumble Twice? You’re Done.
🧠 Key to the Season:
Stop Turning It Over Like You’re Trying to Lose
The Gamecocks had the juice last year — but they gave games away.
They fumbled 25 times, lost 14, and those mistakes straight-up cost them two signature wins:
- 3 lost fumbles vs. Alabama → 2-point loss
- 2 lost fumbles + 13 penalties vs. LSU → 3-point loss
When they protected the rock? 7–0.
When they didn’t? 2–3.
Ball security isn’t just a “key” — it’s the entire damn equation.
💪 Key Player:
Josiah Thompson, OT (Sophomore)
The ceiling is first-round NFL pick. The reality? Still raw.
At 6’7″, 300 lbs, Thompson has the frame and tools. Now he needs to anchor this line, which gave up way too much pressure last season. If he levels up, QB LaNorris Sellers has a chance to take over the SEC.
🔁 Top Transfer In:
Rahsul Faison, RB (Senior)
He’s not a bruiser, but he’s a chain-mover.
Faison ran for 1,100+ yards at Utah State, averaged 5.6 per carry, and can catch out of the backfield. He’s not flashy but he doesn’t go backwards, and after 25 fumbles last year, that matters.
📤 Biggest Transfer Loss:
Bangally Kamara, LB (Senior)
Not a major hit, but Kamara had upside as a pass rusher. He’s now part of Missouri’s defensive front. Depth loss, not a season-breaker.
📆 Key Game:
@ Missouri – September 20
Everyone will circle Alabama and LSU, but this is the swing game.
South Carolina snapped a 5-game skid against Mizzou last year. Now they’ve got to go into Columbia, with Bama and LSU looming.
Lose this, and you’re fighting uphill all October. Win it, and the Gamecocks are alive in the SEC East.
🔟 Top 10 Gamecocks to Know:
- LaNorris Sellers, QB – Big arm, big leap coming.
- Jalon Kilgore, S – Smart, physical, everywhere.
- Dylan Stewart, EDGE – Explosive off the edge.
- Rahsul Faison, RB – Smooth, efficient runner.
- Nyck Harbor, WR – Speed kills. He’s got it.
- Brandon Cisse, CB – Underrated corner.
- Josiah Thompson, OT – Must protect the blindside.
- Bryan Thomas, EDGE – Veteran leadership up front.
- Tree Babalade, OG – Best name, best punch.
- Judge Collier, CB – Fluid athlete, next man up.
📊 Fun Stats from 2024:
- Fumbles: 25 total, 14 lost
- 4th Quarter Scoring: Gamecocks 125 – Opponents 58
- 4th Down Defense: Only 30% conversions allowed
They closed games strong — when they weren’t coughing it up.
🧨 Unc’s Outlook
The SEC didn’t do ‘em any favors — but it could’ve been worse.
No Georgia. No Texas. No Tennessee. That’s a huge break.
But down the stretch, it gets mean:
@ LSU
Oklahoma
Alabama
@ Ole Miss
@ Texas A&M
Clemson
That’s a playoff gauntlet.
The good news? This team is battle-tested. LaNorris Sellers is the real deal. The defense forces chaos. And if they clean up the turnovers, they’ll be in the mix deep into November.
They won’t go 10–2. But they’ll hang around the SEC title chase long enough to scare some folks.
🎯 The Call:
Win Total Projection: 7.5
Predicted Record: 8–4
Physical. Gritty. Dangerous. Bowl lock with spoiler upside.
🟢 Game Buckets:
Likely Wins:
- Coastal Carolina
- South Carolina State
- Vanderbilt
Toss-Ups (50/50):
- Clemson
- Kentucky
- @ Missouri
- Oklahoma
- @ Ole Miss
- @ Texas A&M
- Virginia Tech (Atlanta)
Likely Losses:
- Alabama
- @ LSU