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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.”

In a move that secures their linebacker core for the future, the Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Nick Bolton to a three-year, $45 million deal this offseason. However, the team remains focused on the position’s future, as Leo Chenal will be a free agent next spring. Fortunately, the 2025 NFL draft features several linebackers with promising potential.

One of the standout prospects is Demetrius Knight Jr., a linebacker from the South Carolina Gamecocks. Knight, who stands out as one of the oldest prospects in the 2025 class, initially enrolled at Georgia Tech in 2019 to play quarterback. However, his transition to linebacker in 2023 was a breakout success. Known for his maturity and leadership, Knight has earned high praise for his character and work ethic at South Carolina.

Standing at a solid 6’1 5/8″ and weighing 235 pounds, Knight possesses impressive arm length and the power to compete with offensive linemen in tight spaces. His ability to deliver a powerful blow in the run game is a key strength. Knight’s quickness and vision allow him to read plays and react with short-area burst, positioning himself effectively at the second level as he watches the ball unfold in the backfield.

Knight’s football IQ is another asset—his excellent vision prevents him from being fooled by deceptive plays in the backfield. He’s known for sticking to his assignments and rarely makes critical mistakes. Whether shedding blockers or using his strength to stack them, Knight’s relentless motor ensures he’s always pursuing the ball carrier and limiting missed tackles.

However, Knight does have areas that need improvement. His sideline-to-sideline speed is lacking, and his stride is short, preventing him from consistently reaching top speed. Additionally, hip tightness hinders his ability to shake blockers or mirror quick playmakers. This results in occasional over-pursuit, where he struggles to recover due to a lack of twitch in his movements.

In coverage, Knight’s ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and gain good depth in zone coverage is notable. But his coverage skills are inconsistent, particularly when dropping into deeper zones. He struggles with awareness and often fails to match up with playmakers in man coverage, limiting his ability to take on deeper assignments.

Analysts are divided on Knight’s draft position, with his grades ranging anywhere from the middle of the second round to the early fourth round. Given his struggles in coverage, it’s likely Knight will start his NFL career in a limited role, gradually earning a starting spot as he develops.

Nyck Harbor has always been an easy target for opposing defensive backs. Standing at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and widely considered one of the fastest players in college football, it’s no surprise. Harbor even qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200m, and to top it off, EA Sports gave him the coveted 99 speed rating in their video game.

So naturally, every defensive back assigned to cover him couldn’t help but run their mouths.

“All DBs do is chat,” Harbor said on Wednesday. “They’ll just talk about that I’m just fast in the game. Only good in the game — this, that and the third. … DBs will talk all the time but, at the end of the day, I was catching the ball and they were behind me.”

For a while, the banter was easy. Harbor was a former five-star recruit, racing Olympians in the spring and becoming a video game sensation in the summer. But as everyone knows, that’s not what makes a great football player. After a quiet freshman season, Harbor barely saw the field as a sophomore.

“I had to talk with him,” Harbor’s father, Azuka, said in an interview with The State on Wednesday. “Forget about everything you see. Forget about everything. It’s just a (video) game. If this does not translate to a real game, it doesn’t make any sense.”

As the 2024 season unfolded for South Carolina, Harbor’s progress became undeniable. There was the jaw-dropping touchdown catch in the final seconds against Alabama, which could have been the play of the season if the Gamecocks had come out on top. He posted a career-high 69 yards against Missouri and started making plays behind opposing corners. By season’s end, he had recorded at least 40 receiving yards in each of the final five games, including a stunning toe-tap catch in the Citrus Bowl.

“I don’t doubt his ability to go get the ball,” Azuka said. “If you throw that ball where you want him to go, he’ll go get it.”

Nyck added, “I just started to have more confidence.”

In just one year, the conversation surrounding Harbor shifted. What began as a question of whether he would ever figure things out turned into speculation about whether he could become South Carolina’s best receiver in 2025. This transformation was rooted in something as simple as vision.

It’s reminiscent of a concept from Malcolm Gladwell’s book David vs. Goliath, where Gladwell argues that Goliath’s defeat was partly due to his poor eyesight. Despite being seen as a physical giant, Goliath was undone by something as fundamental as vision, proving that no matter how impressive one’s physique, it’s nothing without the ability to see clearly.

And that’s where Harbor was struggling. While he wasn’t going blind, he admitted, “I couldn’t see the best I could.”

Azuka first noticed something was wrong during the 2023 game against Texas A&M. On the Gamecocks’ first drive, quarterback Spencer Rattler sent a third-down pass to an open Harbor. But Harbor, looking directly at the ball, somehow let it slip right through his hands and bounce off his helmet.

After the game, Azuka called his son.

“Bro, what’s going on?” Azuka asked. “Is everything OK?”

“Dad,” Harbor responded, “I did not see that ball. It just hit me in the face.”

“Well,” Azuka said, “we need to go do something.”

It wasn’t a surprise to Azuka, though—Harbor had been wearing glasses since his signing day ceremony in 2023, though only off the field.

It wasn’t until just before the 2024 season that Harbor acknowledged his eyesight needed fixing. In the opener against Old Dominion, Harbor wore prescription goggles, similar to LaNorris-Sellers’ style, before switching to contacts soon after.

“That was probably the best decision I’ve made,” Harbor said. “It’s like a whole new world.”

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Columbia women’s basketball team, which typically plays in a cozy 2,700-seat gym in Manhattan, has now found itself in the national spotlight. This year, just like powerhouse programs such as UConn, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the Lions are receiving the same attention, and for the first time ever, they’re getting paid to be there.

Beyond the typical perks of charter flights, hotel stays, and tournament swag, women’s teams now get an individual share of the tournament profits—something men’s teams have enjoyed for years.

UNC Greensboro’s coach, Trina Patterson, expressed her thoughts on the new development, saying, “It should be this way. We should be able to fly charter. We are all playing in the same March Madness, the treatment for the men and women should be equal. We get a unit!”

Indeed, each women’s team now receives a “unit”—money paid to conferences when a team plays in the NCAA Tournament. To break it down, conferences earn $113,000 for every game their women’s team plays in the tournament. In past years, Columbia, which made the tournament last year, didn’t see any of that money, as neither the Lions nor the Ivy League benefited from the appearance.

Columbia’s coach, Megan Griffith, shared her excitement, saying, “You got to start somewhere and I think we’ve been so far behind. I think of Sedona Prince and it’s really cool to see that she’s still able to play at a high level on a big stage. This is more like the whipped cream. I think the cherry on top is going to keep coming, but this it’s really good so far.” Prince’s viral video from 2020 helped highlight the disparities between the men’s and women’s tournaments, sparking significant change.

Trina Patterson has seen it all. As a former player at Virginia in the 1980s under Geno Auriemma, and later an assistant coach at Stanford under Tara VanDerveer, she knows the challenges and rewards of big-time basketball. Her UNCG Spartans, a 16th seed, are experiencing this newfound treatment, as they enjoy a cross-country charter flight from Greensboro to Los Angeles, where they’ll face top-seeded Southern California. This marks UNCG’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.

Meanwhile, William & Mary is making its historic debut in March Madness, with a chance to earn two financial units. The Tribe’s play-in game against High Point could see them face top-seeded Texas if they win.

Erin Dickerson Davis, head coach of William & Mary, reflected on the long-awaited moment, stating, “It should have always been that way. Women’s basketball has been fighting for equality for a very long time. I’ve been in this business for many, many years. I played college basketball, it’s a long time coming.” She added, “Everyone is so excited about the experience, going from the bus directly to the plane, everyone was so happy. Yes, we’re here on a business trip and we want to win. But just to be able to have these experiences for them that no one has done at William & Mary is special.”

For Columbia, the excitement is palpable. The Lions aren’t in Chapel Hill for spring break—they’re here with a clear goal. However, they’re still soaking in the experience. Junior Perri Page said, “It was cool going to the charter and we’ve been taking it all in. But it’s a business trip and we have a goal in mind.”

Their journey has mirrored that of many other teams: a bus ride from their New York campus to Newark Airport, a proud one-hour charter flight to Chapel Hill, and the thrill of receiving tournament swag. But, of course, there’s a game to be played, and it’s a big one. Still, for many players, the experience is a moment to savor.

As Page put it, “We’ve been enjoying the whole season. It’s great we can make money for the school now.”

In the words of Trina Patterson: “It’s great for women’s basketball.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Opens NCAA Tournament vs. Tennessee Tech

The No. 2/2 South Carolina Gamecocks are set to begin their NCAA Tournament run on Friday, March 21, against Tennessee Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Gamecock Key Facts

South Carolina enters its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance, marking its 13th consecutive bid under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks have earned the regional No. 1 seed for the fifth year in a row and the ninth time during Staley’s tenure. Under her guidance, South Carolina remains perfect in first-round games, holding a 12-0 record.

The Gamecocks completed a historic three-peat in both the SEC Regular-Season and Tournament championships, achieving this feat for the third consecutive season and the seventh time in the past 11 years. Their SEC Tournament title run included a series of impressive victories, including the program’s first-ever win over an AP No. 1 team.

South Carolina’s dominance in the SEC Tournament was evident in the second quarter, where they outscored opponents by an average of 13.3 points, while limiting them to just 21.6 percent shooting during that period.

The Gamecocks currently lead the SEC in both field goal percentage (.465) and field goal percentage defense (.351), ranking 16th and 6th in the nation, respectively, all while competing against the toughest schedule in the country.

Notably, South Carolina leads the nation with 42.6 points in the paint per game, contributing 52.9 percent of their total offense. The team outscored opponents by 16.7 points per game in the paint, with that margin rising to +25.3 points per game during the SEC Tournament. The Gamecocks are undefeated (28-0) when they outscore their opponents in the paint.

In a historic achievement, four Gamecocks received All-America honors this week, tying the program’s record. This marks the second time in three seasons that South Carolina has reached this milestone. Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts earned honorable mention recognition from both the USBWA and the AP. Meanwhile, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao were also named to the AP All-America team.

Chloe Kitts has been exceptional since her triple-double performance against Ole Miss on February 27, leading the team with 15.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, shooting an impressive 64.7 percent.

During the SEC Tournament, Kitts, along with MiLaysia Fulwiley and Sania Feagin, earned All-Tournament honors. Fulwiley averaged 13.0 points per game, leading the team in assists (3.3) and steals (2.7), while Feagin contributed 12.7 points per game on 75.0 percent shooting and added 5.3 rebounds per game.

By the Numbers

• 5 – Five Gamecocks averaged at least 9.5 points and at least 4.0 rebounds during the SEC Tournament.
• 15 – South Carolina played 15 games against ranked opponents this season, just one shy of the program’s single-season record.

The Tennessee Tech Series

South Carolina holds a 4-2 all-time record over Tennessee Tech, with all six meetings occurring before the 1990s. The Gamecocks are 3-1 when playing in Columbia. Their last encounter also took place in the NCAA Tournament, when the 11th-seeded Golden Eagles stunned then-No. 17 South Carolina with a 77-73 win in the first round on March 15, 1989.

Gamecocks Against the Tournament Field

South Carolina has faced 16 of the 68 teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament, with three of those teams also in the Birmingham 2 Region. The Gamecocks boast a 17-3 record against those 16 teams, including a stellar 12-1 mark against the nine other SEC teams that made the field. Among the teams they played are UCLA, Duke, Iowa State, Michigan, NC State, TCU, and UConn. The 16 teams include two No. 1 seeds, four No. 2 seeds, two No. 3 seeds, a No. 4 seed, three No. 5 seeds, a No. 6 seed, a No. 7 seed, a No. 9 seed, and a No. 11 seed.

SEC Tournament Recap

South Carolina clinched its third consecutive SEC Tournament title and its ninth overall earlier this month. The Gamecocks made it to the championship game for a record sixth consecutive year in the SEC Tournament.

South Carolina dominated the tournament, winning three games by an average margin of 19.3 points, allowing just 61.0 points per game. Their road to the title included victories over top-10 teams, including a 93-75 win over No. 10 Oklahoma in the semifinals and a 64-45 triumph over No. 1 Texas in the championship game.

Four Gamecocks finished the tournament averaging double-digit points, with Chloe Kitts leading the way as Tournament MVP with 16.7 points per game, along with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game and an outstanding 74.2 percent shooting from the field. All-Tournament selections included MiLaysia Fulwiley (13.0 points per game) and Sania Feagin (12.7 points per game). Joyce Edwards, in her SEC Tournament debut, averaged 14.7 points per game.

Priority recruit Ryan Mosley, a 4-star prospect from Georgia, is making another trip to Columbia for a visit to the University of South Carolina’s campus. The Carrollton High School standout announced his unofficial visit on social media Wednesday, revealing he’ll be in town this Friday.

Many consider South Carolina and Georgia to be the primary contenders in Mosley’s recruitment. He recently took another trip to Athens, and an official visit to the Gamecocks is scheduled for June 6th. Additionally, Mosley has official visits lined up to Georgia, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Nebraska, all set for May and June.

This past winter, Mosley shared with GamecockCentral, “I just love it there [in Columbia.] That’s just a place that feels like home right now.”

The Gamecocks’ pursuit of Mosley is being led by wide receivers coach Mike Furrey. Last cycle, Furrey brought in six scholarship wide receivers (along with one preferred walk-on), four of whom were ranked as 4-star recruits, and two as 3-star prospects.

Mosley has excelled on both sides of the ball at Carrollton, earning the label of “athlete” during his recruitment. However, at the collegiate level, he’s expected to play receiver.

On3’s industry ranking, which combines rankings from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals, lists Mosley as the No. 217 player in the country, No. 11 athlete, and No. 28 player in Georgia. On3 itself is even higher on Mosley, ranking him No. 142 nationally, No. 7 among athletes, and No. 20 in the state of Georgia.

More news……

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Gamecocks

Today we’re diving into a couple of standout names in the world of college basketball, and first up is Rose, a two-time SoCon Player of the Year. Despite playing just six games last season due to injury, she’s already made a huge impact when healthy. Rose dropped 23 points in a game against Duke and followed that up with a solid performance of 20 points and 8 rebounds at South Carolina. She’s already proven she can compete at the highest levels, showcasing her skills at a power conference caliber.

Next, we’ve got Kiyomi McMiller, a 5’8″ freshman guard from Rutgers. Last season, McMiller averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, quickly earning a name for herself and nearly snagging the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. However, despite all the potential, McMiller has yet to enter the transfer portal, but rumors suggest that’s just around the corner.

Here’s where it gets tricky—McMiller has been suspended multiple times this season, with the first suspension reportedly linked to a locker room incident. What’s concerning is how McMiller handled the situation afterward, which raised serious questions about her maturity and self-awareness. For a team like South Carolina, who needs stability and a strong team culture, she might not be the right fit.

Definitely a situation to keep an eye on as McMiller’s next move could shake things up in the coming weeks.

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.

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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.