Greg McElroy: Two Crucial Factors Could Determine South Carolina’s 2025 Season

Live Feed: SEC Preview – Greg McElroy Talks South Carolina’s 2025 Prospects

ESPN and SEC Network’s Greg McElroy took a deep dive into each SEC team on his podcast this week, highlighting key questions each team must answer to feel good about the 2025 season. When discussing South Carolina, the veteran analyst and former Alabama quarterback pointed to a familiar challenge from last offseason, as well as one of the biggest local storylines for the Gamecocks this year.

“South Carolina had an impressive breakthrough last year,” McElroy said. “I don’t think in spring 2024 any of us would’ve predicted that South Carolina would be a fringe playoff contender, but the way this team was playing down the stretch, anything seemed possible.”

McElroy identified two crucial questions for the Gamecocks: who will step up at wide receiver and who will fill the void of veteran leadership on defense?

Indeed, the wide receiver position was a major talking point for South Carolina last year, especially with the departure of Xavier Legette, who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. In an effort to replace Legette’s production, the Gamecocks relied on a by-committee approach, making significant strides under assistant coach Mike Furrey. However, the group still struggled to become one of the SEC’s most dynamic receiving corps.

“We know they have one of the best quarterback prospects in the country in LaNorris Sellers,” McElroy said. “The problem is the wide receiver group last year was underwhelming. These players need to take a big step forward to make the passing attack more dynamic.”

Despite these concerns, there is reason for optimism in Columbia. South Carolina returns Jared Brown, Nyck Harbor, and Mazeo Bennett from last year’s receiving room and adds one of the country’s most talented and deep receiver classes. That’s why I’m not as concerned about the position as McElroy seems to be, especially if Harbor makes another significant leap after sitting out the indoor track season.

The Gamecocks should also expect some immediate contributions from their highly-rated freshmen, adding depth and potential to the position.

However, McElroy’s other concern for South Carolina is much more significant.

The Gamecocks’ defense, one of the nation’s best and historically strong, faces a major rebuild after losing key players such as Nick Emmanwori, Demetrius Knight, Kyle Kennard, and the entire two-deep at defensive tackle.

“We know we have the building block on offense, but the building block on defense is Dylan Stewart,” McElroy said. “He’s the key, but they have a lot of replacing to do. This was a defense that finished in the top 20 for both scoring and rushing defense. They went to the portal and brought in transfers, but can they fill the gaps?”

That’s the million-dollar question for South Carolina as they head into 2025. Will they be able to replace their defensive stars and maintain one of the country’s top units? Only time will tell.