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  • Returning Home: The Dream Come True for South Carolina Commit Andrew McLaughlin

    Andrew McLaughlin

    Andrew McLaughlin Returns Home to Play for South Carolina

    Andrew McLaughlin’s college journey has taken him quite far from home. The Summerville, S.C. native is currently pitching for Florida Southwestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, a distance of over 10 hours from his hometown. And while his family hasn’t been able to see him pitch in person much due to the distance, McLaughlin’s journey has taken an exciting turn.

    After a strong start to his season, the right-handed pitcher has caught the attention of his dream school—South Carolina. McLaughlin recently received an offer and, on Monday, officially committed to joining the Gamecocks. The decision feels like a homecoming, especially as McLaughlin shared his excitement about playing for his favorite team growing up.

    “Once I got to FSW, I was working just to come back home, go to South Carolina,” McLaughlin said in an interview with GamecockCentral. “I knew when Coach (Terry) Rooney called me for the first time, he was super interested and made it sound like the coaching staff really wanted me to come back. I just knew it was the right fit.”

    A former Ashley Ridge High School standout in Summerville, McLaughlin had initially committed to Lenoir-Rhyne, a Division II school in North Carolina, back when he was in his junior year. However, things took an unexpected turn during his senior year.

    “I kind of took off,” McLaughlin reflected. “I got better in the weight room, gained some muscle—gained like 20 pounds. Then I came out and was throwing much harder and just an overall better pitcher.”

    At the time of his commitment, McLaughlin’s fastball was in the 87-90 mph range. However, after his intense off-season training, he saw a huge leap in his velocity, now hitting 96 mph this season. With this newfound strength and skill, McLaughlin made the tough decision to de-commit from Lenoir-Rhyne, hoping to land at a higher-level program. Unfortunately, the NCAA wouldn’t release him from his previous commitment, and McLaughlin found himself at FSW, where he had built a strong connection with head coach Zac Cole.

    Though this situation wasn’t ideal, it worked out in McLaughlin’s favor as it brought him to South Carolina’s attention. In just four appearances for the FSW Buccaneers, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound pitcher has posted an impressive 2.23 ERA, striking out 17 batters and walking only five in 13.2 innings.

    McLaughlin credits much of his success to his pitch mix, especially his slider. “I definitely think I have a really sharp slider in the low to mid-80s. High spin on it, good shape,” he said. “I also have a really nice sinker to pair along with it. It breaks into righties a lot and tails away from lefties a lot. It’s got good swing and miss—really good setup pitch to come back with the slider.”

    When it comes to throwing strikes, McLaughlin keeps it simple: “I think just getting ahead of batters. I think I’m at like a 75 percent first-pitch strike right now,” he explained. “That’s really just helped me get ahead of staying ahead of hitters. Not really playing around with them, just getting ahead, staying ahead, and letting my stuff work and just overpower them.”

    Looking ahead to his move to South Carolina, McLaughlin is aware that he’ll have to prove himself in a competitive pitching staff. However, he’s beyond excited about the opportunity to return to his home state and wear the Gamecocks uniform.

    “It means a lot,” McLaughlin said, reflecting on his return. “… I know a lot of friends, I know a lot of guys on the team already, so that’s a comfort level, as well. I know the fanbase will probably rally around the hometown kid, as well, so that’s good to know.”

    This is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting chapter in McLaughlin’s career, and it seems his dream to play for South Carolina is finally becoming a reality.

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball Update: Home Win Streak Ends, Falls Out of Top Five, and New Title Favorites Emerge

    South Carolina Women's Basketball Update: Home Win Streak Ends, Falls Out of Top Five, and New Title Favorites Emerge

    South Carolina’s season has taken a surprising turn as they’ve now dropped three games and fallen in the rankings. The big question remains: how will they respond to this adversity?

    The loss to UConn last weekend wasn’t necessarily unexpected—after all, the Huskies are a solid team capable of beating anyone. UConn has had a few hiccups this season, but they’ve still proven themselves to be a force. What truly shocked fans was the manner in which they defeated South Carolina. UConn ran away with an 87-58 victory, marking the lowest point total and highest points allowed by South Carolina this season. It was the first time in over a year that the Gamecocks scored fewer than 60 points in a game—since January 2023 against Mississippi State—and it was the most points they’ve allowed since January 2021 against Arkansas.

    The key difference here, though, was that in previous losses where one aspect of their game faltered, South Carolina managed to find a way to pull through. Against UConn, both offense and defense were simply off.

    Let’s dive deeper into some of the key takeaways from the Gamecocks’ loss on Sunday.

    End of the Home Win Streak

    Before facing UConn, South Carolina boasted an impressive 71-game home win streak. The last time they lost at home was December 3, 2020, against NC State, in a game where they struggled offensively, scoring only 46 points. Even though they couldn’t buy a bucket that night, the defense kept them in the game, limiting NC State to 54 points. But that loss was a turning point; the Gamecocks went on to win 12 straight games, starting their dominant home stretch. The streak culminated on February 13 with a commanding 38-point win over Florida, following a close loss to Texas.

    While the end of the home streak is a notable setback, this loss doesn’t have major long-term consequences for South Carolina. Since it wasn’t a conference loss, it won’t affect their SEC standing, and the Gamecocks are still in control of their path to securing a top seed for the NCAA Tournament—winning out in the regular season and clinching the SEC Tournament title will likely guarantee them a spot in the top seeds.

    South Carolina Drops Out of the Top 5

    After the UConn loss, South Carolina fell to No. 6 in the AP poll—marking the first time this season they’ve been outside of the top five. In fact, this is the first time since the preseason poll of 2023-24 that the Gamecocks haven’t been ranked in the top five. Their fall to No. 6 is a bit of a rarity in recent seasons, with their last drop outside of the top five coming before the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament when they were also ranked No. 6. It’s an unfamiliar position for a program that’s been at the top for quite a while.

    Title Odds Take a Hit

    While South Carolina may not have been the No. 1 ranked team going into the UConn matchup, they were still considered the favorites to win it all. Their mix of experience and strong coaching made them the team to beat. However, after the loss to UConn, the Gamecocks’ title odds have taken a hit. At BetMGM, their odds have dropped to +325, putting them in second place behind UConn, now the favorites at +200.

    Following the Gamecocks, UCLA, Notre Dame, and USC round out the top five teams in betting odds. Texas, which defeated South Carolina two weeks ago, sits in sixth, followed by LSU, Tennessee, Duke, and Ohio State.

    Do these shifts in odds matter? It’s too early to say. The race for the title this season is wide open, and with the top teams all having had stumbles, it’s clear that anything can happen. UConn might have looked dominant against South Carolina, but they’ve suffered losses to teams like Notre Dame, USC, and Tennessee, so it’s not as straightforward as the odds might suggest.

  • South Carolina basketball recruit earns Overtime Elite MVP title…once more

    Eli Ellis

    Live from Columbia, South Carolina, I’m reporting on the arrival of Eli Ellis, a highly-anticipated basketball signee for the Gamecocks. With the summer fast approaching, the spotlight is already on the 6’1″ guard, who has become one of the most promising prospects to join South Carolina’s roster.

    Ranked as the highest-rated player in the Gamecocks’ class according to the On3 industry ranking, Eli Ellis is positioned at No. 70 overall in the nation, No. 4 in North Carolina, and No. 21 among all shooting guards. Expectations are soaring, as many see him as a potential dynamic scorer at the college level.

    Ellis has already made a huge impact in high school basketball, earning All-American honors and securing a spot in the prestigious Iverson Classic All-American Game in May. But just this week, he received another well-deserved accolade. On Wednesday evening, the news broke that Ellis had been named MVP of the competitive Overtime Elite league. This marks his second consecutive year winning the MVP award, a true testament to his incredible talent.

    During the season, Ellis posted eye-popping numbers, averaging 32 points, nearly 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. He also led his team, the YNG Dreamerz, to the top spot in the playoffs, and in the coming weeks, he’ll compete for the OTE championship. As if that wasn’t enough, Ellis has already etched his name in Overtime Elite history, becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer, with multiple 50-point performances under his belt.

    In addition to his MVP selection, Ellis earned a spot on the All-OTE team this season. Notably, his younger brother, Isaac Ellis, and teammate Kohl Rosario also made the cut, and both players are high on South Carolina’s radar for the Class of 2026. Isaac, much like Eli, is a crafty combo guard, while Rosario is an athletic wing with a growing shooting ability.

    Looking ahead to his time at USC, Ellis has a clear path to playing time. The Gamecocks will be losing starting guards Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright, which opens up opportunities in the backcourt. If Ellis can impress during the preseason, he could secure a significant role as a freshman.

    As a player, Eli Ellis is all about scoring. His competitiveness, ball-handling, and shooting ability set him apart. Although his shooting percentages aren’t elite yet, it’s important to note that Ellis takes and makes some difficult shots, such as step-backs, fadeaways, and long-range bombs from 30 feet. As he adjusts to the college game, his efficiency should only improve. Despite not having exceptional size or athleticism, Ellis finishes around the basket with ease and has shown significant progress as a passer and playmaker this season, leading OTE in assists with 6.7 per game.

    It’s clear that Eli Ellis is a player to watch, and the Gamecocks are gaining a major talent to build around for the future.

  • South Carolina vs. LSU: Key Factors to Watch, Opponent Breakdown, and Injury Updates

    South Carolina vs. LSU: Key Factors to Watch, Opponent Breakdown, and Injury Updates

    South Carolina is hoping to break its 12-game losing streak as it heads to Baton Rouge for a late tip-off against LSU.

    The Gamecocks (10-15, 0-12 SEC) will face off with the LSU Tigers (13-12, 2-10 SEC) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) tonight, with tip-off scheduled for 9 p.m. on SEC Network. Let’s dive into some key things to keep an eye on in this matchup, as well as the latest updates on both teams.

    Key to Avoiding Another Blowout: The Big Run South Carolina has struggled throughout this season with one common theme: the inability to recover from large runs by their opponents. This was painfully evident in their most recent loss to Florida, where they only trailed by four points at halftime. But as has happened too often, the second half told a different story. A 27-9 run by the Gators out of the break led to a 20-point deficit for the Gamecocks, and they couldn’t claw back, falling by double digits. This marked the fifth time in SEC play that South Carolina has suffered a blowout loss.

    If they want any chance at winning tonight, they must avoid letting LSU dominate the second half. Should the game be close at the break, South Carolina needs to take control early in the second half—scoring efficiently and playing solid defense. Otherwise, it could be another long night for the Gamecocks.

    An Unexpected Twist in LSU’s Performance Initially, this game seemed like one of South Carolina’s more winnable matchups. However, LSU comes into this game on the heels of a surprising road victory over Oklahoma. With a 2-10 SEC record, the Tigers now sit two games ahead of the Gamecocks at the bottom of the standings, but the win gives them momentum going into this contest.

    South Carolina has struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-7 record away from Colonial Life Arena. Their lone road victory came back in early December at Boston College, and they’ve only had one SEC road game that came down to the wire, a narrow three-point loss to Vanderbilt. Other than that, their road losses have all been by double digits. For the Gamecocks to pull off an upset tonight, they’ll need to defy the odds—winning on the road in the SEC is no easy feat.

    CMB Needs to Be More Aggressive South Carolina’s sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles has been a solid playmaker for the Gamecocks, but his recent performance against Florida raised some concerns. Murray-Boyles only took eight shots, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting. He also grabbed just two rebounds. While his unselfishness is valuable, South Carolina will be better off if he takes more shots—ideally 15 or more. The Gamecocks are relying on him to step up and lead the offense if they’re going to have any shot at breaking their losing streak.

    Opponent Scouting Report: LSU For a deeper look at the LSU Tigers, you can check out our full scouting report here. LSU, though struggling in conference play, has proven they can still compete, as seen in their win over Oklahoma. With Daimion Collins, Corey Chest, and Derek Fountain all listed as probable for tonight’s game, the Tigers will be a tough challenge for South Carolina, who has been shorthanded all season.

    Injury Report For South Carolina: Myles Stute is OUT due to a blood clot.

    For LSU: Trey’Dez Green and Jalen Reed are OUT, while Daimion Collins, Corey Chest, and Derek Fountain are all listed as PROBABLE.

    Game Details

    • Who: South Carolina (10-15, 0-12 SEC) vs. LSU (13-12, 2-10 SEC)
    • When: Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 p.m.
    • Where: Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,215 capacity)
    • How to Watch/Listen: SEC Network and 107.5 The Game

    ESPN gives South Carolina just a 30.5% chance to win, but the Gamecocks will be hoping to defy those odds tonight in Baton Rouge.

    Stay tuned for live updates, and let’s see if South Carolina can snap their streak!

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball: 3-2-1 Breakdown – Key Players, Tough Questions, and a Standout Play from a Disheartening Weekend

    South Carolina Women's Basketball: 3-2-1 Breakdown – Key Players, Tough Questions, and a Standout Play from a Disheartening Weekend

    Live from the Gamecocks’ weekend rollercoaster, here’s my breakdown of the standout players, burning questions, and my favorite moment.

    Three Clutch Players

    Joyce Edwards
    Against Florida: 19 minutes, 28 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
    Against UConn: 28 minutes, 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks

    Edwards had a career-high 28 points against Florida and was pivotal for the Gamecocks against UConn, leading the team in scoring and tying for the lead in rebounds. It’s clear: Joyce Edwards is South Carolina’s top performer as they head into the final stretch of the season.

    Te-Hina Paopao
    Against Florida: 20 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
    Against UConn: 29 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists

    Paopao set the tone early in the Florida game, delivering one of her best performances as a Gamecock. While she struggled with her shot against UConn, her involvement, especially in the first half, kept her engaged on the court.

    Champ Staley
    As Dawn Staley fondly referred to him, “My emotional support dog.” After the loss to UConn, Staley and Champ walked into the postgame interview together, with associate head dog mom, Lisa Boyer, later taking Champ behind Colonial Life Arena. You have to imagine that some tough conversations were had, and a little support from a pup never hurt.

    Two Burning Questions

    1. What happened?
    Coming off a dominant win against Florida, everything seemed to align perfectly for the Gamecocks heading into the UConn game. The crowd was pumped, and even though UConn initially took the lead, South Carolina was still getting good looks. But then… it all fell apart. Feagin got hit in the face early, and MiLaysia Fulwiley quickly picked up two fouls, throwing off the rotation. But despite these setbacks, it was a complete breakdown for the team, and the reasons behind it remain unclear. We’ll have to see if they can figure it out internally and turn things around.

    2. Can they bounce back?
    Can the Gamecocks regain their form? Absolutely. But will they? That’s still uncertain. I’m cautiously optimistic. The UConn game was such an outlier that I don’t think it should define the team’s season. But still, it’s concerning to see them falter in such a high-stakes game, especially given their history of performing best in the biggest moments. The question now is whether they can rediscover that competitive edge.

    One Favorite Play

    There weren’t many bright spots against UConn, but one play that stood out was MiLaysia Fulwiley’s incredible block. With Sarah Strong seemingly on her way to an easy layup, Fulwiley came from the help side and swatted the ball away, denying the 6-2 Strong a chance at scoring. It was an amazing display of defensive timing.

  • South Carolina Dominates Sacred Heart on Ray Tanner Day to Secure First Series Win

    After a win on Opening Day Friday, South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri sent a text to his players: “There is no way we are losing on Ray Tanner Day.”

    With the Gamecocks set to honor legendary coach Ray Tanner before Saturday’s game, including a field dedication ceremony, Mainieri wanted his players focused on the win. They responded well.

    With many former players, staff, and others attending the special occasion, South Carolina (2-0) easily triumphed 14-0 over Sacred Heart in seven innings.

    “Great day for Ray. Great day for South Carolina athletics really,” Mainieri said. “The president was here, the athletic director was here. A lot of dignitaries. It was a beautiful day.”

    Although it’s still early in the season, there’s already a noticeable difference in this Gamecock offense. While power may come later as the weather warms up (with just one home run so far), the team’s focus has been on putting the ball in play, executing hit-and-run strategies, advancing runners, and capitalizing on the opponent’s errors.

    A lot of South Carolina’s early runs came thanks to mistakes from the Pioneers, which didn’t work in their favor. In the first inning, the Gamecocks loaded the bases with one out and scored three runs without a hit: walk, sacrifice fly, and wild pitch.

    They added two more runs in the third before breaking the game open in the fourth. After a leadoff walk, Henry Kaczmar hit a line drive at second base, but the ball deflected off the fielder’s glove and rolled into right field. Ethan Petry then cleared the bases with a two-run double to the right-center field wall. Three more unearned runs came in the inning, thanks to two errors from Sacred Heart, as the defense struggled throughout the day.

    Despite the offensive support, Matthew Becker was dominant in his first start of the season. The senior left-hander pitched five innings on just 60 pitches, allowing only one hit—a weak infield single in the second.

    Becker struck out nine batters without issuing a walk and retired the last 11 batters in a row, including striking out the side in the fifth.

    “I think the biggest difference isn’t really a stuff thing. I think it’s more of the mentality,” Becker said about his outing. “Getting pitch to pitch, making the out in the clutch moments, and taking that breath.”

    Through the first two games, South Carolina’s starting pitchers have delivered solid performances. Between Becker and Friday’s starter Dylan Eskew, they’ve allowed just one run in 10 innings while striking out 18 batters without a walk.

    With the game out of reach, Mainieri brought in freshman right-hander Ryder Garino to pitch the final two innings. Garino retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, striking out the final four batters to complete the run-rule win.

    “Oh, I’m really high on Ryder Garino, and not just because he’s Italian. I don’t love Garino because he’s Italian. I love him because I’m Italian,” Mainieri joked. “He’s a strike-throwing machine and he’s going to keep getting better and better and better. But he’s thrown just about like that every single scrimmage game since he’s been here.”

    As a team, South Carolina has struck out 29 batters over the first two games—16 on Friday and 13 from Becker and Garino on Saturday.

    Looking ahead: South Carolina will aim for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for noon on SEC Network Plus, with Jake McCoy making his first start of the year.

  • South Carolina Gamecocks Ranked Among Top-10 in Latest Way-Too-Early Top-25 Poll

    The South Carolina Gamecocks are gearing up for the 2025 College Football season, and the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. With the release of the latest Way-Too-Early Top-25 rankings, the Gamecocks find themselves ranked as a Top-10 program, setting the stage for a highly anticipated year.

    In 2024, the Gamecocks wrapped up a solid regular season with a 9-3 record, though their postseason ended on a disappointing note with a loss to Illinois, concluding their year at 9-4. Despite the bowl setback, there are plenty of bright spots from the 2024 season. Much of the optimism for the upcoming season is tied to the return of LaNorris Sellers, the team’s starting quarterback. Additionally, Head Coach Shane Beamer recently signed an extension and received a raise, providing much-needed stability for the program moving forward.

    That stability, combined with the promise of an exciting season ahead, has positioned the Gamecocks prominently in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top-25 rankings, where they’re seen as a Top-10 contender.

    Here’s what ESPN had to say about the Gamecocks:

    “As always, South Carolina’s annual showdown with in-state rival Clemson will serve as the key measure for the success of their season. But to surpass last season’s 9-4 record, the Gamecocks will likely need to secure a win in their season opener on Aug. 31 against Virginia Tech in Atlanta, and dominate at home in their seven scheduled games. However, their four SEC road matchups won’t be a walk in the park: Missouri on Sept. 20, LSU on Oct. 11, Ole Miss on Nov. 1, and Texas A&M on Nov. 15. Perhaps the toughest test of the season will be a home game against Alabama on Oct. 25.”

    With the excitement of a new season on the horizon, the Gamecocks are set for another challenging and potentially rewarding campaign.

    More news…..

    Brady Hunt Rejoins Garnet Trust, confirming his return to South Carolina Football

    Brady Hunt

    In a significant development for South Carolina football, Brady Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, has signed a new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the Gamecocks’ official collective, The Garnet Trust, ensuring his return to the program for the upcoming season.

    Hunt, who transferred to South Carolina from Ball State last offseason, was part of the Gamecocks’ three-man tight end rotation in 2024 alongside Joshua Simon and Michael Smith. He made valuable contributions during the season, recording two receptions for 22 yards, including a key first-down grab late in the victory over Missouri. Known for his versatility both as a blocker and a receiver, Hunt is expected to take on an even larger role next season, especially with Simon having exhausted his eligibility.

    Before joining South Carolina, Hunt had an impressive 2022 season at Ball State, where he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His strong performance at Ball State and subsequent transfer to the Gamecocks highlight his potential to become a key player in South Carolina’s offensive game plan.

    This new NIL deal underscores the Gamecocks’ commitment to player retention, with The Garnet Trust playing a crucial role in securing such agreements. Retaining players like Hunt is essential for the program’s continued success, and head coach Shane Beamer has stressed the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining open communication to keep the team unified and motivated.

  • Recent Ranking Changes Elevate South Carolina Football Target to 4-Star Status

    South Carolina Football Recruiting Target Tamarion Watkins Boosted to 4-Star Status

    We’re closely following South Carolina’s pursuit of Tamarion Watkins, one of the top football recruits in the Palmetto State. The Northwestern High School standout is a physical force on the field, standing at an imposing 6’4″ and weighing 201 pounds. His combination of size and athleticism has caught the attention of major programs, including Georgia, who have shown interest in potentially using him as a linebacker. However, USC defensive backs coach Torrian Gray sees him more as a versatile, long safety for the Gamecocks’ secondary. On3, along with other major recruiting outlets, currently ranks him as a safety.

    Recent updates to the 2026 rankings have propelled Watkins to a prestigious position. He now holds a fourth-star ranking in the On3 industry composite rankings—a weighted average from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. This jump comes after On3, 247Sports, and Rivals all updated their rankings in recent weeks. Watkins is now placed at No. 312 nationally, No. 7 in South Carolina, and No. 26 among safeties nationwide. Rivals is especially high on Watkins, ranking him as the No. 125 player in the nation and the top recruit in South Carolina.

    Notably, GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark recently included Watkins on a list of prospects who could soon earn South Carolina’s On3 RPM picks. Clark reports that despite a competitive offer list, South Carolina has positioned itself well in Watkins’ recruitment.

    As of now, the Gamecocks have five commitments in the 2026 class, currently ranked 14th overall. This group includes 4-star safety J’Zavien Currence, 4-star tight end Jamel Howse, 4-star linebacker/EDGE Keenan Britt, 3-star defensive back Peyton Dyer, and 3-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter. Interestingly, both Currence and Baxter are from Rock Hill, just like Watkins.

    Stay tuned for more updates on this rising prospect and South Carolina’s recruiting efforts.

    More news…..

    Brady Hunt Rejoins Garnet Trust, confirming his return to South Carolina Football

    Brady Hunt

    In a significant development for South Carolina football, Brady Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, has signed a new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the Gamecocks’ official collective, The Garnet Trust, ensuring his return to the program for the upcoming season.

    Hunt, who transferred to South Carolina from Ball State last offseason, was part of the Gamecocks’ three-man tight end rotation in 2024 alongside Joshua Simon and Michael Smith. He made valuable contributions during the season, recording two receptions for 22 yards, including a key first-down grab late in the victory over Missouri. Known for his versatility both as a blocker and a receiver, Hunt is expected to take on an even larger role next season, especially with Simon having exhausted his eligibility.

    Before joining South Carolina, Hunt had an impressive 2022 season at Ball State, where he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His strong performance at Ball State and subsequent transfer to the Gamecocks highlight his potential to become a key player in South Carolina’s offensive game plan.

    This new NIL deal underscores the Gamecocks’ commitment to player retention, with The Garnet Trust playing a crucial role in securing such agreements. Retaining players like Hunt is essential for the program’s continued success, and head coach Shane Beamer has stressed the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining open communication to keep the team unified and motivated.

     

  • South Carolina Secures Commitment from JUCO Power Hitter: Here’s When He’ll Join the Team

    Hours before South Carolina's highly anticipated Opening Day

    South Carolina Lands JUCO Commit Dawson Harman Just Before Opening Day

    Hours before South Carolina’s highly anticipated Opening Day, the Gamecocks received some exciting news with a commitment from JUCO third baseman Dawson Harman. And the energy around the announcement was electric, especially for Gamecock slugger Ethan Petry.

    “When I didn’t think opening day could get any better! Welcome home brother,” Petry excitedly shared on his Instagram story.

    Harman, who spent 2024 at High Point before transferring to the College of Central Florida for the 2025 season, has a strong bond with Petry. Both hail from Florida, with Harman from Tampa and Petry from Land O’ Lakes. When Harman received his offer from South Carolina, he didn’t waste time reaching out to his good friend.

    “I told him, I was like, ‘Hey, (Paul) Mainieri’s about to call me. Monte (Lee) and Coach (Terry) Rooney said they’re getting an offer ready or whatever,’” Harman explained to GamecockCentral. “I don’t know for sure, I think he jumped out of bed and was just super excited for me. He was like, ‘Dude, this is what we wanted. Like, this is what you told me was going to happen, and this is exactly what I wanted with you.’”

    The timing of Harman’s commitment is intriguing. He began his JUCO season on January 26, committing just as South Carolina kicked off its 2025 season. So, the question arises—will Harman suit up for the Gamecocks this season? The answer, unfortunately, is no.

    “I’ll finish the year here with JUCO ball down here, and then I’ll be able to get on campus in the fall, and then go from there with being a Gamecock,” Harman confirmed.

    For the remainder of the 2025 season, Harman will stay focused on playing for College of Central Florida, where he’s off to an impressive start with a .391 batting average, seven home runs, and 18 RBIs in just 12 games.

    South Carolina has had its eye on Harman since the fall, when Monte Lee attended one of his games. Harman recently had a call with Lee and Coach Terry Rooney, which confirmed the Gamecocks’ interest. Then, after a standout performance on Thursday—where Harman went 3-for-5 with a home run and two doubles—the offer came through.

    “They were like, ‘Yeah, we’re getting (Paul) Mainieri on the phone with you,’” Harman recalled. “It was just like, wow. I’m talking to a college coach who’s been around college baseball for a while with LSU and all that. It was honestly eye-opening for me. It was like, wow. This is insane.”

    Harman has been playing third base since his sophomore year of high school, but he’s also seen time in the outfield during his college career.

    “Last year we had a sixth-year at third base, so the only opportunity for me was to move over to the other hot corner, first base, or play the outfield, which I was totally fine playing,” Harman shared. “… So here it’s playing third, and then if they needed me to go somewhere else, I’m more than capable of doing so.”

    As South Carolina enters a new era under Mainieri, Harman said he wishes he could join Petry and the rest of the team this season. But he’s determined to finish strong with his current team before heading to Columbia in the fall.

    “If I could step on campus now and be a part of that team, that’d be the dream,” Harman said. “But to have the ability of finishing my JUCO season out with a great team we have down here, College of Central Florida, is going to be awesome, as well.”

    Stay tuned for more updates on Dawson Harman’s journey to South Carolina and the rest of the Gamecocks’ season!

  • South Carolina basketball recruit earns All-American honors

    From the world of South Carolina basketball, we have a major update on Eli Ellis, the highest-rated player in the Gamecocks’ 2025 signing class. Known for his exceptional skills and relentless work ethic, the dynamic combo guard will soon make his way to campus this summer with sky-high expectations.

    But that’s not all—Ellis is now a high school All-American.

    Though recently overlooked for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Ellis received recognition elsewhere. Last week, he was selected for the prestigious Iverson Classic All-American Game, cementing his place among the nation’s top 26 players. Named after basketball legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, this event boasts an impressive lineup of prospects, with seven On3 5-star players and 19 4-star recruits.

    Interestingly, Ellis is the second-lowest-rated player in this game, which might suggest that his ranking is due for an upgrade. Currently, On3’s composite ranking—a combination of assessments from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals—places Ellis at No. 70 overall in the country. Additionally, he’s ranked No. 4 in North Carolina and No. 21 among all shooting guards nationally.

    Adding to his growing list of accolades, Ellis is also the reigning Overtime Elite MVP, a title he’s favored to win again this year. No player has scored more points in OTE history than Ellis, further solidifying his status as a basketball phenom.

    The Gamecocks also secured the commitment of Ellis’ teammate Hayden Assemian and are actively recruiting his class of 2026 teammates Kohl Rosario and Isaac Ellis, Eli’s younger brother.

    The Iverson Classic All-American Game is set for Saturday, May 3rd, at the Hampton Coliseum in Iverson’s hometown of Hampton, Virginia. The final team rosters will be decided shortly before the event, as these 26 standout players prepare to showcase their talents.

    More news…..

    First-Round Projections Have South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders As a Top NFL Draft Pick

    T.J. Sanders

    The 2025 NFL Draft process is in full swing, and former South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders is now considered a potential first-round pick.

    Although Sanders might have flown under the radar this season due to the dominant performances of South Carolina’s EDGE rushers, Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, he is gaining recognition as the draft approaches. National analysts, including NFL Network’s lead draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, are starting to take notice of Sanders’ impressive tape.

    Jeremiah recently released his updated NFL Mock Draft, where he has Sanders going 31st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Regarding the potential selection, Jeremiah commented:

    “There has not been a lot of buzz for Sanders, but I thought his tape was outstanding. He’s really twitchy and would fit right in with the bevy of talented defensive linemen in Philly.”

    T.J. Sanders’ accolades include:

    • 2024 Third-Team All-America (College Football Nation)
    • 2024 First-Team All-SEC (College Football Nation)
    • 2024 Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Phil Steele)
    • 2024 SEC Interior Defender of the Year (College Football Nation)
    • 2023 Third-Team All-SEC (College Football Network)
    • 2023 Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
    • 2023 Nutrition Award
    • 2023 Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring
    • 2023 co-South Carolina Spirit Award – Defense