Author: footballtopstar

In a recent update, Houston Astros fans are facing a bit of a pitching dilemma after Luis Garcia suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Reports indicate that Garcia has been shut down due to experiencing elbow soreness, which leaves the Astros slightly short on starting pitching depth. As a result, the Astros may be looking for external help to fill the gap.

One potential trade partner to keep an eye on is the Philadelphia Phillies. After the Phillies made a move in the offseason to acquire left-hander Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, their rotation seems to be locked in. The projected starting five, as of Thursday, includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Luzardo, and Christopher Sanchez. However, there’s one player who may find himself on the outside looking in: right-hander Taijuan Walker.

Walker, who had a rough 2024 season with a career-high ERA of 7.10 across 19 games, has struggled to find consistency. In fact, he’s posted a sub-3.50 ERA just once in the past four seasons. With the Phillies’ rotation seemingly set, Walker could be a candidate for a change of scenery. A trade to a team like Houston could be a fresh start for the 31-year-old right-hander.

If the Astros were to pursue Walker, a potential deal could look like this:

Astros receive: RHP Taijuan Walker
Phillies receive: RHP James Hicks (HOU No. 20 prospect) and C/1B Jancel Villarroel (HOU No. 29 prospect)

This proposed trade would provide the Astros with additional starting pitching depth in place of Garcia while giving the Phillies two promising prospects for their future. Hicks, just 23 years old, and Villarroel, at only 20, are unlikely to make an immediate impact at the Major League level but offer long-term potential for Philadelphia’s system.

As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see if the Astros make a move to bolster their rotation and whether a change of scenery could help Walker get back on track. Stay tuned for more updates.

The NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament is officially set to begin, with the South Carolina Gamecocks looking to defend their title. On the eve of the tournament, one of the Gamecocks’ key players, MiLaysia Fulwiley, is receiving a major endorsement from an NBA icon.

South Carolina is widely regarded as one of the top contenders for the 2025 championship, and it’s clear why when you take a look at their roster. The Gamecocks are powered by Fulwiley, who has been a game-changer coming off the bench. Her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, as NBA legend Steph Curry recently showed his support for the rising star.

Ahead of the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, Curry was photographed arriving at the stadium wearing a MiLaysia Fulwiley t-shirt. SportsCenter shared the image on X, captioning it: “The chef knows who’s about to be cooking up some madness 🔥 Steph Curry pulled up to the Warriors game reppin’ MiLaysia Fulwiley 😮‍💨.”

In case you missed it, Fulwiley recently signed with Curry Brand, the signature line by Curry’s Under Armour partnership. Fulwiley made history as the first collegiate athlete to sign an NIL deal with the Curry Brand, and Curry spoke highly of her commitment and potential.

“She believes in what we’re doing… and obviously in South Carolina doing amazing things, winning a championship in her freshman year. And trying to continue to get better, and keep pushing the envelope on what she can accomplish in her career,” Curry remarked.

He added, “As you build out your roster, you want to have just good people that truly understand, one, they want to be great on the court, two, they stand for something, represent something off the court, and always looking for ways to impact the community. And she checks all those boxes.”

As the Gamecocks prepare for their opening-round matchup against Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles today at 4:00 pm ET, Fulwiley’s presence and support from Curry highlight the star power on this team.

For more updates, follow the USCTalk community on Twitter and YouTube for comprehensive coverage of South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament journey!

In a major recruiting win for South Carolina, the Gamecocks have secured the top 2026 offensive lineman from the Palmetto State.

On Friday morning, at a ceremony inside Carvers Bay High School, four-star offensive lineman Zyon Guiles announced his commitment to South Carolina. This marks the Gamecocks’ sixth pledge for the 2026 class and their second offensive lineman, following Anthony Baxter from South Pointe High School.

This announcement comes just two weeks after Guiles revealed his top seven schools, which included Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. At the ceremony, he had the hats of each of his final schools laid out on the table.

“I will be taking my academic and athletic talents to South Carolina,” Guiles stated as he picked up the Gamecocks’ hat, confirming his decision.

Interestingly, both South Carolina and Clemson extended offers to Guiles on the same day, June 5, which initially led many to believe he would visit both schools. In February, Guiles announced plans to visit a handful of schools over the spring and summer, but he ultimately decided to commit to Shane Beamer’s program before even taking any official visits.

Guiles is ranked as a top-160 national prospect and among the top-15 offensive tackles in the country. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound prospect from Georgetown is now another key addition to what is shaping up to be an impressive in-state recruiting class for South Carolina.

According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, the Gamecocks have already secured commitments from the No. 1 player in the state (J’Zavien Currence), the No. 3 player (Guiles), and the No. 5 player (Jamel House). Additionally, the father of the No. 4 player, Julian Walker of Dutch Fork High (who remains uncommitted), works for the USC football team.

Here’s a look at South Carolina’s 2026 football commitments so far:

• Anthony Baxter (OL) — Committed on May 5
• Keenan Britt (DE) — Committed on Aug. 5
• Jamel Howse (TE) — Committed on Oct. 5
• J’zavien Currence (DB) — Committed on Oct. 17
• Peyton Dyer (DB) — Committed on Nov. 4
• Zyon Guiles (OL) — Committed on March 20, 2025

After a standout season, South Carolina Gamecocks saw 11 of their players invited to the NFL Combine. However, like many schools, not all deserving players received the call. One of the Gamecocks left off the list was linebacker Debo Jones. Despite being part of an elite defensive unit, which featured talents like Dylan Stewart and Nick Emannwori, Jones went unnoticed. But he wasn’t deterred by the snub—he showed up to the facility determined to prove he was worthy of being drafted.

During his time at the Combine, Williams showcased his impressive athleticism, running a 4.78 40-yard dash, completing a 4.44 shuttle run, and leaping a 9-foot-4 broad jump. However, his most jaw-dropping moment came during the bench press. Williams displayed elite strength, benching 225 pounds 32 times, a mark that led all his teammates and turned heads among NFL scouts. His performance showed the power and toughness needed for a linebacker who can shed blocks and make critical tackles.

When asked about being left off the invite list, Williams, a Delaware native, made it clear that the snub didn’t faze him. He was ready to compete and make a name for himself. “I’m always going to come and compete… It’s always a blessing to do what you love, man. We come out here and compete and just get better every single time we’re out here. It’s a blessing to be able to go to the next level and get ready for that,” Williams said, clearly focused on the opportunity ahead.

The NFL values competitiveness, and after his standout seasons at South Carolina and a strong showing at the Pro Day, Williams has shown that he is always ready to compete at the highest level. Regardless of whether he’s drafted, Williams is content knowing that he did everything possible to prove he belongs in the league.

During South Carolina’s spring practice, Nyck Harbor, the Gamecocks’ talented tight end, addressed the media and revealed a shift in his offseason focus as he prepares for the 2025-2026 college football season.

Since joining South Carolina as part of the 2023 recruiting class, Harbor has been a standout two-sport athlete. Not only has he showcased his skills on the football field as a pass-catching tight end, but his performance in track has been equally impressive, even earning an invitation to the Olympic trials.

Last offseason, Harbor ran the 200m dash in a remarkable 20.20 seconds, putting him on track to compete in the Paris Olympic trials. However, shortly after that performance, Harbor announced that he would not attend the trials, opting instead to dedicate his focus to the 2024 football season. With track season overlapping with spring football practice, Harbor made it clear that his attention would be on football heading into 2025.

“My track for this year is done,” Harbor stated.

In January, Shane Beamer, Harbor’s head coach, echoed these sentiments, explaining that the decision was ultimately Harbor’s. “He is solely focusing on football right now. And that was Nyck’s decision. That was something that he talked to us about. I think he realized that though he did a lot of really good things in track last year, missing spring practice… I don’t want to say, set him back, but it was more of a challenge to be ready for the season,” Coach Beamer said.

Harbor had a breakout season in 2024, achieving the best year of his young career at South Carolina. He appeared in 13 games, starting in eight, and posted career highs in yards (376), touchdowns (3), and yards per game (29.8). By narrowing his focus on football, Harbor aims to tap into the full potential of his five-star status from the 2023 recruiting class, and his decision to fully commit to football in 2025 could help him reach new heights.

More news….

Possible defensive starter absent on South Carolina’s first day of spring practice

South Carolina football kicked off its spring practice on Wednesday morning, but there was a notable absence on the field. Defensive back Vicari Swain was not participating in practice, according to a USC spokesperson. The spokesperson clarified that while Swain is still with the team, he is currently addressing an academic issue.

Despite this setback, if Swain resolves the matter soon, he could still play a significant role on the Gamecocks’ defense. Although he wasn’t expected to start in 2024, the former 4-star recruit proved valuable last season, rotating in behind starters O’Donnell Fortune and Judge Collier. With Fortune aiming for the 2025 NFL Draft, Swain was one of the frontrunners to step into a starting role alongside Collier.

Swain had a solid redshirt freshman campaign in 2024, appearing in all 13 games. He racked up 13 total tackles, including a strip sack against Kentucky, and even knocked away a pass. Swain played 314 snaps, the sixth-most among South Carolina’s secondary players, solidifying his position as the team’s top backup in the defensive backfield. Given that the Gamecocks often deploy five defensive backs, Swain was a key contributor, coming in as a reliable reserve.

Looking ahead, regardless of Swain’s status, South Carolina’s secondary will see some changes this fall. With Fortune and safety Nick Emmanwori heading to the NFL, two starting spots are now up for grabs. Judge Collier (cornerback), DQ Smith (safety), and Jalon Kilgore (nickel/safety) are expected to start, but the competition for the remaining spots will be fierce throughout the spring and summer. For more on these battles, GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell has the inside scoop, breaking down the competition here.

In his four seasons with Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks, running back Juju McDowell made a significant impact, with most of his production coming in his freshman and sophomore years. After a standout true freshman season, McDowell earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors in two categories—All-Purpose and Return Specialist—following the 2021 season. That year, he rushed for a career-high 248 yards on 52 attempts, appearing in 12 games, including two starts.

Over the course of his career, McDowell played in 48 of 51 games, including all 13 in 2024. In total, he rushed for 621 yards on 162 attempts as a Gamecock.

Despite not receiving an invite to the 2025 NFL Combine—a prestigious event where 11 of McDowell’s Gamecock teammates were selected—he remained determined. When the time came to showcase his skills at South Carolina’s Pro Day, McDowell viewed the opportunity as “nothing short of fantastic.”

“More than anything, it’s been a blessing,” McDowell said in an interview with GamecockCentral. “Nothing but the grace of God provided me with this opportunity to just go out here and show what I can do and have fun for one last time with my guys and put on for my university.”

During Pro Day, McDowell demonstrated his physical prowess by participating in every event. He began with the bench press, impressively completing 27 reps at 225 pounds—four more than any other running back at the NFL Combine. Additionally, McDowell clocked in at 4.23 in the 20-yard shuttle, which would have ranked second among Combine participants. His 37-inch vertical leap exceeded the combine mark set by his former teammate, Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who recorded a 36.5-inch jump. McDowell’s 4.51-second 40-yard dash would have tied for 15th fastest among his position group at the combine with Miami’s Damien Martinez.

Reflecting on the draft process, McDowell noted similarities to the high school recruiting process, albeit with more precision and higher stakes.

“It’s a lot more precise and the results are taken a lot more into consideration. But, it’s extremely like the recruiting process in high school,” McDowell said. “Long days, training and conversations with people that are interested in you and trying to gain the attention of many others. It’s extremely like the recruiting process, just in a different stage.”

Although McDowell hasn’t had many in-depth discussions with teams, the questions he’s been asked reflect his commitment and character. “Other than that, just kind of my humbleness and my willingness to do whatever it takes to win, that’s about it,” he added. “Showing them how dependable I can be on their team.”

Throughout his time at South Carolina, McDowell was versatile, spending time in multiple roles such as a special teams contributor, backup running back, and slot receiver. To make it to the next level, McDowell recognizes the importance of self-advocacy.

“You are your biggest adversary, and then it only goes as far as you’re willing to take it,” McDowell said. “Especially with agents and coaches and spokesmen. They can only do so much, and eventually, they’re gonna want to come talk to the source.”

Spring practices are now underway nationwide, including for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Unfortunately, the team is already facing a few injury setbacks, with several players set to miss the entire Spring practice period.

At the beginning of the week, head coach Shane Beamer updated the media on the status of the team. However, he was unable to provide the usual injury report, as he had forgotten to bring it to his press conference. With a hint of humor, Beamer shared, “I just walked out of the staff meeting, and I had the injury report. I was gonna bring it down here and, of course, I forgot it as well.”

Four Gamecocks will be sidelined during Spring practice: tight end Michael Smith, defensive lineman Caleb Williams, offensive lineman Ryan Brubaker, and offensive lineman Damola Ajidahun. Beamer confirmed, “Michael Smith will not go through spring practice at tight end. Caleb Williams will not go through spring practice on the defensive line. Ryan Brubaker will not go through spring practice on the offensive line. And Damola, our freshman offensive lineman on the offensive line, will not go through spring practice.” He explained that the injuries were treated promptly to ensure that the players would be ready for the upcoming season.

Smith, a sophomore, appeared in 12 games for South Carolina last season. Williams and Ajidahun are both freshmen who enrolled early, while Brubaker, a redshirt junior, brings considerable college experience to the table. Brubaker, who has had past knee issues, is also a regular on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

While Beamer didn’t go into details about the injuries, he expressed confidence that all four players would return in time for the season. He even suggested that some of them could return to limited action during the Spring. “They all will be [back]. Optimistic that maybe a couple of guys will be able to do a little bit more towards the end of spring practice,” Beamer said. “But right now they won’t start with us and we’ll see how it goes as we go through the spring. But other than that, everybody is in good shape.”

Beamer’s focus for the remainder of Spring is ensuring no further injuries occur. Fans will have the chance to see the team in action at the annual Spring Game on Friday, April 18th.

In a live update on March 19, the Associated Press unveiled its NCAA women’s basketball All-America first, second, and third teams. The players selected all had stellar seasons, and their recognition is well-deserved. The first-team honors went to JuJu Watkins from USC, Paige Bueckers from UConn, Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame, Lauren Betts from UCLA, and Madison Booker from Texas.

On the second team, we saw Sarah Strong from UConn, Aneesah Morrow from LSU, Ta’Niya Latson from Florida State, Olivia Miles from Notre Dame, and Georgia Amoore from Kentucky. The third-team honorees were Hailey Van Lith from TCU, Audi Crooks from Iowa State, Kiki Iriafen from USC, Mikaylah Blakes from Vanderbilt, and Flau’jae Johnson from LSU.

However, despite the deserved recognition, many believe the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks were underrepresented. While four players — Chloe Kitts, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Joyce Edwards, and Te-Hina Paopao — received All-America honorable mentions, many fans argue this isn’t enough and are voicing their opinions on social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by B/R W Sports (@brwsports)

The conversation gained traction after the Bleacher Report Women’s Sports Instagram account shared a post from a Gamecocks fan on X (formerly Twitter), which read, “So South Carolina has no All Americans but everyone is always in uproar about the talent they have and will be crashing out if they win back to back lol.”

Yet, others argue that South Carolina’s success is a testament to its team-oriented approach, where the wealth of talent is distributed across the roster, rather than relying on one or two superstar players, which is typical of other teams.

While South Carolina’s depth is undoubtedly an asset heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, it seems to have worked against them in the All-America voting.

During a recent interview, Dawn Staley spoke candidly about the strong bond between her and her players, saying, “There’s something about us that they like. That is the very thing that continues to drive them while they’re with us.” Staley, who has built a remarkable 470-109 record since taking over as head coach of the South Carolina women’s basketball team in 2008, emphasized the importance of maintaining honesty and transparency with her athletes.

As is the case with any competitive environment, not all players are content when they feel their playing time is lacking. But Staley has found a way to navigate these tensions by addressing the issues head-on. “If you’re having a bad day, why did you decide to come here? It helps you get over your bad day a little bit easier, right? We’re just completely honest,” Staley explained. “If something looks, sounds, or feels off, we’re going to address it. If it looks, sounds, feels great, we’re going to promote it. I believe we know what to say to our players that will allow them to grow. Yes, they may be angry one minute, but we get down to, ‘Why? Why are you angry?’ Then we talk about that, break it down. We do it time and time again.”

One instance that tested her approach came on senior night when Bree Hall, one of her regular starters, was kept on the bench for the entire fourth quarter while five other players finished the game. “Does she feel a certain type of way? Yeah, she’s a competitor. Senior night, last regular-season game,” Staley said. “But you talk to her. You say, ‘Hey, 90% of the time you’ve been in the game. That’s been you.’ They understand when we have a unit out there that’s playing well, we’re going to continue to play them.”

Staley recognizes that clear communication is key to avoiding any lingering resentment or misunderstandings. “If I don’t say anything to Breezy, she might hold on to that for the rest of her life and remember that,” Staley noted. “When if you just address it, she can get it over with.”

This direct and open approach has helped Staley maintain a successful and cohesive team dynamic over the years.