Category: South Carolina Gamecocks

Shane Beamer’s South Carolina football team is making waves this offseason, with a legitimate chance to break the all-time program record for NFL Draft selections. Around a dozen Gamecocks have surfaced in NFL Draft projections, and the previous record of seven players drafted — set in 2009 and matched in 2013 — is now in jeopardy. Last week’s Pro Day provided a platform for several players to boost their draft stock.

On Monday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its updated 2025 NFL Draft Big Board, and according to PFF, eight USC players have a shot at hearing their names called this April. Six of those players fall within the top 257 picks, meaning, based on PFF’s rankings, the Gamecocks are unlikely to break their draft record this year.

At the top of PFF’s board is linebacker Demetrius Knight, who ranks No. 33 overall. PFF’s ranking places Knight higher than most other NFL Draft projections, which generally see him going in the second to fourth round range. With his impressive blend of size, speed, and intangibles, Knight remains an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.

Next up is defensive lineman TJ Sanders, who comes in at No. 36. Sanders has earned some consideration as a potential first-round pick, but most projections place him in the second or early third round. At No. 36 on PFF’s board, Sanders is seen as a top-tier second-rounder. His ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line only adds to his appeal.

A bit of a surprise on the list is All-American safety Nick Emmanwori, ranked No. 45. While most NFL Draft mocks predict Emmanwori will be selected in the first round — potentially as high as the top half of the round — PFF’s board is less bullish on his stock. Emmanwori’s impressive NFL Combine showing didn’t factor as heavily into PFF’s rankings, which are more focused on past seasons’ performances.

EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard sits at No. 65 on PFF’s board. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner had a standout year, leading the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. While his draft stock has fluctuated this offseason, Kennard’s ability to fit into the right defensive system makes him a solid choice for an NFL team.

Cornerback O’Donnell Fortune is ranked No. 169. Fortune’s performance on the field last season was top-tier, even if his testing numbers didn’t stand out. With his length and ability to play faster than his 40-yard dash time suggests, Fortune has caught the attention of NFL scouts and should be a strong bet to be drafted.

Defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway ranks No. 185 on PFF’s list. Like Sanders, Hemingway’s versatility along the defensive front has generated interest from multiple teams. As an above-average athlete with the ability to impact both the passing and running game, Hemingway could see his draft stock rise in the coming weeks.

Running back Rocket Sanders is the seventh Gamecock on PFF’s board, ranking just outside the top 257 spots. Though PFF doesn’t project Sanders to be drafted, many other outlets have him pegged as a potential pick, with some projecting him as high as the fourth round.

Finally, punter Kai Kroeger is ranked No. 339. PFF doesn’t expect Kroeger to be drafted, but his inclusion on the list shows that NFL teams are taking notice of the left-footed punter. Even if he isn’t selected in the draft, Kroeger is expected to get a shot in the NFL this summer.

In addition to these eight players, tight end Josh Simon, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, defensive tackle DeAndre Jules, and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins all received invites to the NFL Combine and could still be drafted in April. Other names to watch include wide receiver Dalevon Campbell, linebacker Debo Williams, defensive tackle Boogie Huntley, and offensive lineman Vershon Lee. Players like long snapper Hunter Rogers, wide receiver Gage Larvadain, offensive lineman Kamaar Bell, kicker Alex Herrera, EDGE/linebacker Gilber Edmond, and running back Juju McDowell may also garner post-draft attention.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24th to April 26th. Fans can catch the event on NFL Network, ABC, or ESPN, and it will also be available for streaming via the ESPN app and NFL.com.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Gamecocks’ draft prospects as we approach the big weekend!

Today’s focus is on LaNorris Sellers and his evolving role in the South Carolina offense, as the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, spoke to the media during his first spring press conference.

Shula kicked things off by discussing his goals for Sellers, particularly how he plans to allow the talented quarterback more freedom in using his legs this upcoming season. After reflecting on the first two practices of the spring, Shula made it clear that the goal is to build on the progress made at the end of last year, not revert to the beginning of the season.

“Our goal is to pick up where we left off at the end of the year, not at the start of the year,” Shula said. “We looked at some things in the offseason, looking at defenses, getting your eyes in the right place a little bit quicker, making sound decisions quicker, things like that.”

At the close of last season, LaNorris Sellers became a pivotal figure, leading the offense through a six-game win streak, with many of those victories fueled by his playmaking ability, particularly his ability to run the ball. A key example was his thrilling 20-yard game-winning touchdown run against Clemson, which clinched the rivalry win.

However, Shula emphasized that while many of those runs were instinctive and not part of the game plan, he wants to slightly adjust that dynamic this year. His goal is to help Sellers operate more within the offensive system, without taking away his ability to make plays on his own.

“The faster you can process and make good decisions with the football, the less you may have to run with the football,” Shula said. “He’s really a pretty good runner, so we don’t want to take that ability away from him. We want to enhance that, but we want to do it on our own terms, not because ‘I didn’t quite understand the read’ or ‘I didn’t see this’ or ‘I’m late on doing that, now I have to run.’ He’s not going to be a running back where he’s carrying it 25 times a game, and that’s part of his growing process.”

The addition of a promising recruiting class of wide receivers should aid Sellers in this transition. Freshmen like Malik Clark and Jordon Gidron will be looking to emerge as key targets for Sellers in the upcoming season, making the Gamecocks’ offense even more dynamic.

For now, it’s clear that Shula’s vision for Sellers involves a delicate balance between unleashing his athleticism and refining his decision-making skills to fit the system. We’ll see how this evolution plays out in the coming months.

In a recent live feed, I’m reporting on Tonka Hemingway’s performance at South Carolina’s Pro Day following a solid showing at the NFL Combine. With all 32 NFL teams in attendance, Hemingway, alongside other prospects, participated in a series of drills and tests.

Reflecting on the day, Hemingway expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity, sharing his feelings: “I feel good. I was telling everybody, I’m just taking it all in. This only happens one time, I’m just taking it all in. It’s a fun experience. Knowing me I’m not really a talking person but this whole process is nothing but talking really from the head up so it’s just a great experience.”

Hemingway clocked a 5.01-second 40-yard dash at Pro Day, the only test he participated in. His speed did not go unnoticed, although the 40-yard dash was the only measurable test he took part in.

When asked about the significance of performing at home, Hemingway emphasized the comfort and familiarity of South Carolina: “I’ve been here for 5 years. This is where I’m more comfortable. It’s like when you go home it just feels like it’s right.”

At the NFL Combine, Hemingway impressed with a 32-inch vertical leap, a 9’4” broad jump, and a 4.48-second 20-yard shuttle. After the draft, he received a 5.94 grade, ranking 28th among defensive tackles.

The path to Pro Day wasn’t easy, as Hemingway recalled: “All the prep started when you went to train so that’s back in like January, February. All that work to come out here for a total of 30 minutes every exercise but it all pays off in the end.”

Although the NFL interview process mirrors the college recruitment experience, Hemingway, known for his reserved nature, had to adapt. Reflecting on the shift, he said, “It’s like starting the process all over. You’re trying to come to college and really just talking up yourself really being honest, really being yourself.”

For now, Tonka Hemingway is on his way to the next step in his career, with the weight of these interviews and performances behind him, and the bright future of the NFL ahead.

In a live update from the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Indiana’s valiant effort fell short against the No. 1 seed South Carolina, as the Gamecocks rallied in the second half to secure a 64-53 victory and advance to the Sweet 16.

For the second consecutive year, Indiana gave South Carolina a tough challenge. Last season, the Hoosiers pushed the Gamecocks to the limit in a 79-75 loss in the Sweet 16, which was South Carolina’s closest game on their way to a national title. This time, in the second round on Sunday, the Hoosiers led for much of the first half, heading into the locker room with a 26-25 lead. Indiana’s defense was suffocating, holding South Carolina to just nine points in the opening quarter, marking the first time the Gamecocks had scored fewer than 10 points in a quarter since February 16.

Chloe Moore-McNeil gave Indiana a huge offensive boost in the first half, scoring 10 points, grabbing two rebounds, and adding an assist. However, the graduate student couldn’t carry that momentum into the second half, as she failed to score any points after halftime, marking the end of her five-year career with Indiana women’s basketball.

At one point in the first half, the Hoosiers led by as much as eight points. South Carolina responded with an 8-0 run in the second quarter to briefly take the lead, but Indiana regained control by halftime. However, after the break, South Carolina came out looking like the top seed they are, knocking down more outside shots and upping their physicality, which Indiana struggled to match. The Gamecocks dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Hoosiers 26-14, including a 12-3 run in the middle of the period that broke the game open.

Indiana didn’t get enough from their leading scorer, Yarden Garzon, who shot just 4-for-13 from the field and finished with 10 points. She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and added four assists, but the Hoosiers were 3-7 this season when Garzon scored 10 points or fewer, and they weren’t able to pull off the upset without her usual scoring production.

Another key player, Sydney Parrish from Fishers, Ind., saw her collegiate career end on Sunday as well. She contributed six points, four rebounds, four assists, and three turnovers in her final game for Indiana.

Shay Ciezki, a junior, led Indiana with 12 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field, while senior Karoline Striplin added 11 points in what was also her final game for the Hoosiers, joining Parrish and Moore-McNeil in ending their college careers.

With this loss, Indiana’s season comes to a close, but the program has plenty to build on moving forward. Stay tuned for further updates and in-depth coverage of Indiana women’s basketball.

In a live update from Columbia, the South Carolina Gamecocks turned things around after a tough first half, defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 64-53 in their second-round NCAA Tournament matchup. The Gamecocks were trailing 26-25 at the break, having shot just 10 of 29 in the first half. However, they came out of halftime on fire, hitting nine of their first 10 shots in the third quarter, taking control with a 20-7 run.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley described the halftime atmosphere as “chaos,” noting that multiple voices from her players were all speaking at once, pointing out what needed to be fixed from the first half. “It’s not like a board meeting where there’s one person talking at a time,” Staley said with a smile. “It is chaos.” Regardless of the chaos, it certainly worked as the Gamecocks found their rhythm, and once Kitts hit a 3-pointer to put South Carolina up 38-30, the momentum was firmly in their favor. The team continued to roll, and Hall’s 3-pointer further extended their lead. The Gamecocks improved to 18-1 in their past four NCAA Tournaments, which includes titles in 2022 and 2024, with a semifinal loss to Iowa in 2023.

South Carolina’s Kitts reflected on the game, saying, “We were all just missing our easy lay-ups, and there wasn’t really flow in the game” during the first half. “Then the second half, we turned it around.” After their hot third quarter, Indiana could never get closer than seven points, as the Gamecocks pulled away for the victory.

Shay Ciezki led Indiana with 12 points, while Sania Feagin contributed 10 points for South Carolina, which improved to 18-0 in NCAA Tournament games played at home.

For Indiana’s Chloe Moore-McNeil, the third quarter was where the game turned. The Hoosiers were outscored 26-14 in that period, committing five of their 16 turnovers. Moore-McNeil noted, “Obviously, they’re the No. 1 team in the country in terms of transition offense and capitalizing on people’s turnovers… I think, yeah, they did have pressure on us, but at the same time, I think we did have some careless mistakes.”

Key Takeaways

Indiana: The Hoosiers fought hard in the first half, but couldn’t keep up with the deeper, more talented South Carolina squad over the course of 40 minutes.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks were given a scare by Indiana for the second straight year. After almost letting a big lead slip away in last year’s Sweet 16 before winning 79-75, South Carolina had another sluggish first half. However, they turned things around and pulled away in the second half. Coach Dawn Staley will likely use this slow start as a lesson for her team moving forward.

Leveling the Playing Field

Indiana coach Teri Moren raised a point that may spark conversation in the future of women’s basketball tournaments. She suggested that it may be time to consider moving to full neutral sites for the women’s tournament, similar to the men’s tournament. After hosting first- and second-round games at Indiana’s Assembly Hall for the past two years, Moren reflected on the advantages of home-court play. “I think we’ve got to get to a point where we sort of mirror what the guys do and have neutral sites because matchups matter,” she said. “But home-court advantage matters. Again, I’ve been a recipient.” She continued, “So I think that’s going to be something that may change as we move forward with women’s basketball.”

Stay tuned for more updates on the NCAA Women’s Tournament as the action unfolds.

In a live update from Columbia, South Carolina, the Hoosiers’ season came to a close once again, this time with a 64-53 loss to the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. This loss means the Indiana women’s basketball team won’t make it past the second round, as their quest for the championship was halted at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.

For Indiana, this game was a familiar uphill battle. They had faced a similar challenge last postseason, when they met the undefeated Gamecocks in the Sweet Sixteen. Despite the odds, the Hoosiers exceeded expectations, even managing a halftime lead. However, as is often the case against elite teams, they couldn’t sustain their momentum in the second half and ultimately fell short. The Gamecocks’ strength and composure were too much to overcome.

Now, Indiana will have to move forward without two key players: Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sydney Parrish. As the program looks ahead, here are three key takeaways from the game:

South Carolina’s Unmatched Dominance

The Gamecocks are simply a force to be reckoned with. Dawn Staley’s coaching acumen has long been revered, and it’s easy to see why. She has consistently built teams that are not only talented but also cohesive, with a relentless defense and an imposing offense that can overwhelm opponents. To defeat South Carolina, a team must either match their talent or play a near-perfect game. While Indiana couldn’t match the Gamecocks’ level of talent, they did give a commendable effort in the first half. Unfortunately, as has happened before, mistakes were costly, and South Carolina capitalized on every opportunity, pushing their lead when it mattered most. As one source put it, “It’s Dawn Staley, man. It happens.”

Impressive Defensive Effort

Despite the loss, Indiana can be proud of their defensive showing. Holding South Carolina to just 64 points in their own arena is no small feat. The Hoosiers’ defense played a major role in giving them an early lead. In the first half, the Gamecocks shot just 34.5% from the field, connecting on only 10 of 29 attempts. Indiana‘s defense, which has been a hallmark of Teri Moren’s coaching style, kept South Carolina from finding rhythm, especially from beyond the arc. The Gamecocks only attempted four three-pointers in the first half, reflecting Indiana‘s strong perimeter defense. While the Hoosiers struggled offensively, shooting just 3 of 12 from three-point range, they managed to hold onto the lead at halftime. Indiana’s defense is a bright spot in this game, even in the face of defeat.

Size and Matchups

When it comes to size, Indiana is competitive in the world of women’s college basketball. With three players standing over 6 feet tall and Chloe Moore-McNeil just under that mark, they have the height to compete. The only real outlier is 5’7″ Shay Ciezki, whose speed and quickness can give her an advantage offensively, even against a taller defense. But against South Carolina, that size difference was evident once again. The Gamecocks’ players are not only taller but stronger and faster, and their basketball IQ is exceptional. This size differential has proven challenging for Indiana in previous matchups, and once again, it was a deciding factor in this game.

As the Hoosiers look to the future, the size and athleticism of teams like South Carolina will be something to consider. While Indiana can hold their own in many areas, the Gamecocks’ dominance in these departments shows that there’s still work to be done as Indiana builds its program for the years ahead.

The conversation surrounding the intensity of high-level basketball continues to heat up. “But you still hear 13 voices talking at the same time. They’ve probably conditioned themselves to be able to compartmentalize and just hear everything and know the gist of what the chaos is, but it sounds like chaos to us,” a source explained, emphasizing how players manage the noise and distractions amidst the fast-paced action on the court.

As the conversation shifts to the broader picture of women’s basketball, there’s a spotlight on what’s held Indiana back from consistently breaking into the upper ranks of the sport. “I mean, Teri Moren can coach. She can really coach. She does a really great job at getting her players to play to their strengths,” said a close insider. Despite her strong coaching and talented roster, there’s an acknowledgment that Indiana‘s journey to the NCAA Tournament’s top tier is often about more than just skill. “Obviously, some of it is luck. Some of it is matchups. Like, it really is, when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. I think you just have to keep plugging. She’s got the talent. She’s got the assistant coaches pool of people. You’ve just got to get lucky.”

Switching gears, the discussion delves into a pivotal moment in a recent game—South Carolina’s dramatic comeback. “I think, when we’re down at halftime – which is not very often – you want to keep the same energy that you have when you’re up,” one player shared, reflecting on the team’s mindset during the intense moments. “We’ve got an experienced group of players that really know what needs to take place in order for us to correct what was going on out there. Part of it was just we missed good shots; part of it was we missed bad shots. Part of it was our defense wasn’t hitting on all cylinders.”

It’s clear that the team’s approach is about staying grounded, with a sense of perspective. “The game is 40 minutes. I think, within that time frame, we can get to our good habits, and we did that coming out of halftime.” The third quarter, in particular, marked a key turning point where they found an opportunity to integrate Chloe back into the game. “In the third quarter, we got a chance to get Chloe on the floor, keep her on the floor a little bit longer than we did in the first half,” the player explained. “She actually, when she got her second foul, she was like, ‘I was ball pressuring.’ You were not only ball pressuring, you were fouling. Like, stay in the game, Chloe.”

And with that, the team refocused and turned the tide, demonstrating the grit and determination needed to weather the storm.

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The Gamecocks have found themselves in a familiar position heading into the 2025 season – looking for a new star running back to fill the void left by Rocket Sanders. Sanders, who delivered an impressive season with nearly 900 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, is now off to pursue his NFL dreams. His departure leaves South Carolina with a critical question: Who will step up to be the next big name in the backfield?

Fortunately, there are some promising options available. Oscar Adaway III returns for his seventh year of college football, having served as Sanders’ backup last season. Adaway had a standout performance in the Citrus Bowl, rushing for 106 all-purpose yards and a touchdown as the lead back. Now, Adaway will compete for the starting role this season.

“I’d definitely say they’re going to have a great year,” Sanders said, speaking highly of his teammate’s potential. “And I mean, definitely with Oscar in there, ’cause you know, he’s an older guy. I feel like he’s got knowledge ’cause he taught me some things as well that I taught him as well. I feel the guys are going to be great.”

In addition to Adaway, South Carolina also brings back Jawarn Howell and Matthew Fuller, both of whom redshirted last season. Head coach Shane Beamer has expressed confidence in their abilities, noting that both players performed well during winter workouts. Beamer acknowledged that these two will be relied upon much more this season.

“Those two guys were really, really impressive, talking about Jawarn and Matthew. So now it’s time for them to take the next step and compete,” Beamer said. “You need more than one, you need more than two, you need more than three, just because of the wear and tear that position has.”

Recognizing the importance of bolstering the running back room after losing Sanders, Beamer and his staff took a strategic step into the transfer portal and added Rahsul Faison from Utah State. Faison had a stellar career with the Aggies, rushing for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns over two seasons. While his 2023 campaign was solid, it was his breakout year in 2024, when he rushed for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, that caught attention.

However, there is a caveat. Faison has not yet been cleared for eligibility for the upcoming season. While he is allowed to participate in spring practices, he is still waiting for a final ruling from the NCAA after submitting a petition for an additional year of eligibility under the “Pavia” rule.

If Faison gets the green light to play this season, the Gamecocks could be in for a major boost.

“Dawg. Period. D-A-W-G,” Adaway said, enthusiastically describing Faison’s style of play.

Adaway also shared his approach to leadership: “A lot of people try to lead by example. Like a lot of people should lead by example. But I chose this year to lead by experience because I have done it all. I have been injured. I have been on winning teams. I have been on sorry teams. I have been on mid, average teams. Experience is going to go far with me and Rahsul.”

Stay tuned, as the Gamecocks look to fill the void left by Rocket Sanders with a promising group of players that could lead the way in 2025.

While the No. 1 ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team remains focused on the present, Friday’s dominant 60-point victory provided a clear look at the future.

The Gamecocks (31-3) cruised to a 108-48 win over No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech in their NCAA Tournament opener. The win was so decisive that head coach Dawn Staley had the opportunity to rotate in different lineups, giving more playing time to players who’ve typically been on the bench.

South Carolina’s bench set a new NCAA record with 66 points, the highest total since 2000. Every player who stepped onto the court contributed to the score, with all seven reserves scoring more than the entire Tennessee Tech team, which posted 48 points.

“It’s cool to see young people tap into the game even if they’re not promised any playing time,” Staley said.

Looking ahead, South Carolina will take on No. 9 Indiana (20-12) in the second round on Sunday.

Bench Players Shine

The Gamecocks’ bench has been a standout all season, leading the country in scoring at 41.5 points per game. What’s notable is that the top two bench scorers, Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley, don’t start. Edwards, a freshman, led the charge with 22 points in Friday’s win and is averaging 13.2 points per game. Fulwiley, a sophomore, is just behind with 12 points per game, contributing 15 points in the blowout.

As South Carolina loses key starters like Sania Feagin, Bree Hall, and Te-Hina Paopao at the season’s end, Edwards, Fulwiley, and Tessa Johnson are expected to step into starting roles.

For freshman point guard Maddy McDaniel, her future role as a starter or sixth man depends on Raven Johnson, a redshirt junior, who has yet to announce if she will return for another year. In the 18 minutes Staley gave McDaniel in the lineup Friday, the freshman showed maturity and poise, thriving in the tempo Tennessee Tech set. While Johnson isn’t a primary scorer, her ability to run the offense is crucial. McDaniel doesn’t need to rack up points—she simply needs to manage the game and maintain control.

“In our roles, it’s hard because we are point guards,” Johnson said. “We’re supposed to be like another Staley on the court. She has to trust us. McDaniel is really good for a freshman. I remember my freshman year, we didn’t play like that, so her getting these minutes now is phenomenal. The stuff that she does, I’m like, ‘Wow, how do you see this as a freshman?’”

A Glimpse into the Future

McDaniel delivered a perfect lob to 6-foot-7 Adhel Tac in the post, leading to a beautiful score. After the play, Tac pointed at McDaniel in appreciation.

“Maddy has always been there, it’s just playing time,” Staley said. “When Raven is playing well and Te-Hina is playing well, it’s hard because the other guards have to get the minutes they’ve earned all season long. Maddy stays ready. Anytime her number is called, she’s ready.”

Despite averaging just 3.9 minutes per game, Tac contributed 6 points in 5 minutes on Friday. McDaniel had 2 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, while Maryam Dauda added 4 points, and Tessa Johnson scored 11.

Friday’s explosive bench performance gave a sneak peek at what’s to come for South Carolina. With such confident and mature play, Staley might have more depth than she initially thought as the Gamecocks pursue a back-to-back national title.