5 Key Roster Questions as South Carolina Kicks Off Spring Practice

Reporting live as the 2025 South Carolina Gamecocks are about to kick off spring practice today, bringing a fresh wave of anticipation after last season’s 9-4 finish. The Gamecocks ended on a high note, winning their final six regular-season games, including a dramatic 17-14 victory at Clemson, and nearly earning a spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff. Expectations are soaring for this team, arguably higher than any in the last decade. But before we dive into talk of the 2025 playoff, let’s address five key questions as the Gamecocks begin their spring practices.

1. Can QB Air Noland challenge LaNorris Sellers for the starting spot?
Let’s set the record straight: Sellers is the starting quarterback for the 2025 season. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be competition. Air Noland, the former four-star prospect who transferred from Ohio State, is certainly capable of pushing Sellers. While last year’s quarterback battle was essentially settled from day one, with Sellers outshining Robby Ashford, Noland’s presence could elevate Sellers’ game even further. It’s possible that Noland will also get game reps, especially in certain packages, as South Carolina explored using Ashford in different situations last season. But with only Dante Reno and Cutter Woods as the other scholarship quarterbacks, Noland is heavily favored for the backup role.

2. Does LB Fred Johnson emerge as an elite player right away?
As the 2024 season concluded, several coaches and seniors pointed to Fred Johnson as a player to watch in 2025. Nick Emmanwori, a safety, described him as a playmaker: “He’s a dude that a lot of fans haven’t really seen… I can’t wait for him to show what he can do next year.” After a solid true freshman campaign, where he earned playing time on special teams, Johnson now finds himself with an almost open path to start, given the departures of key linebackers like Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight. With transfer linebackers Justin Okoronkwo (from Alabama) and Shawn Murphy (from Florida State) joining the fold, Johnson is certainly one to watch this spring as he looks to live up to the hype.

3. Who emerges as the top running back?
In 2024, Rocket Sanders dominated carries, but don’t expect the same in 2025. The Gamecocks are likely to go with a more committee-based approach this year, using veterans like Oscar Adaway (who transferred from North Texas), Rahsul Faison (a transfer from Utah State), Jawarn Howell, and Matthew Fuller. The two names to keep a close eye on are Adaway and Faison, both seasoned players, with Adaway turning heads in the Citrus Bowl and Faison coming off an impressive 1,100-yard season at Utah State. The question will be: Who can prove themselves as the top guy in spring practice?

4. Which transfer defenders are stepping up?
With seven starters from last year’s stellar defense gone, a lot of attention is on the new transfers. Fred Johnson isn’t the only player to watch; South Carolina brought in 14 transfers this offseason, eight of whom are on defense. Among the names to keep an eye on are Okoronkwo and Murphy at linebacker, and Brandon Cisse, a cornerback from N.C. State, who may replace O’Donnell Fortune in the starting lineup. The three new defensive tackles, especially Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (a former five-star from Texas A&M), will also have significant opportunities to play, as will Jaylen Brown, a transfer edge rusher from Missouri. The spring will give us an early glimpse at who will step up to fill those critical defensive roles.

5. Who will handle kicking and punting duties?
For the first time since 2017, South Carolina enters a season without its returning kicker or punter. With Alex Herrera and Kai Kroeger gone, the Gamecocks have a few candidates vying for those spots. Mason Love, who backed up Kroeger last year, is likely the front-runner for punter. But the kicker position is still up for grabs between Love, Peyton Argent, and William Joyce. The competition is wide open, and with the spring transfer portal window opening soon, South Carolina may look to bring in a kicker for added depth. And don’t forget about replacing Hunter Rogers as the long snapper — it’s a whole new era for Beamer Ball in 2025.

As spring practice kicks off, these are just a few of the questions that will shape the Gamecocks’ 2025 season. Stay tuned as we follow their journey leading up to the season opener!