Blog

In a live update on South Carolina’s football season, it’s clear the Gamecocks had a somewhat average year in 2024, wrapping up with a 9-4 record. Head Coach Shane Beamer certainly has a reason to be proud as his approach stands out among many of his peers, as he continues the tradition of holding spring games despite a trend of cancellations around the league. And while fans are already optimistic about the upcoming season, the question remains—will the Gamecocks get an easy path to the College Football Playoff (CFP), or will obstacles block their way? Much will depend on the leadership in place, particularly Beamer‘s star quarterback, LaNorris Sellers.

A major disappointment for South Carolina came in the 2024 season when they were left out of the playoffs, despite a six-game winning streak and a thrilling 17-14 victory over Clemson. Their last CFP ranking as a Top 25 team came in 2022 when they were ranked No. 19 by the selection committee, per ESPN. Fast forward to 2024, and the Gamecocks have made an impressive jump to No. 15. With key returners like Sellers, EDGE Dylan Stewart, and defensive back Jalon Kilgore, their chances for a CFP berth this season look promising, bolstered by those rankings and the returning talent.

On March 14, Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of PFF College Football Show dove deep into the Gamecocks’ prospects. Chadwick noted, “South Carolina finished number 19 in the final AP ranking. The last time they were that high was in 2013 when they finished number four in the AP ranking. So, it’s been a very, very long time since South Carolina was that good, really big breakout year.” One of the standout players for Beamer‘s squad is Dylan Stewart, a young star who graces the cover of EA Sports’ CFB 26. Chadwick highlighted Stewart’s electric performance, saying, “He’s probably a guy we can hear a lot about top five pick or maybe even number one overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.” In 2024, Stewart made 23 total tackles, further solidifying his importance to the Gamecocks.

Of course, all eyes are on LaNorris Sellers as well. Though Chadwick acknowledged that Sellers still has some work to do as a passer, he sees 2025 as a potential breakout year for the QB. Sellers put up solid numbers in 2024, with 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a 65.6% completion rate. On top of that, Jalon Kilgore, a Georgia Region 4-AA Athlete of the Year, had a stellar sophomore season with 48 total tackles and five interceptions. But the real key to a CFP run for Beamer‘s squad? Developing Sellers as a more polished passer. His 70.6 passing grade in 2024 leaves room for improvement, and the ceiling for him is high.

But there’s a major issue Beamer has to address: the protection of his quarterback. The Gamecocks struggled last season, allowing 41 sacks and finishing No. 123 in the nation for pass protection. The lack of a stable offensive line put immense pressure on Sellers, but to his credit, his ability to escape pressure and make something out of broken plays kept the offense alive. On That SEC Podcast, the hosts acknowledged Sellers’ unique ability, noting, “I think we can all admit it’d be a lot higher number if not for LaNorris Sellers being such a dynamic athlete. Nine out of ten quarterbacks are probably not the athlete he is.”

While this is certainly a positive, it’s also a double-edged sword. If Sellers has to play hero every week, the strain will be too much. He can extend plays, but he can’t block for himself. To compete against SEC defenses and make a true CFP run, Beamer must solve the offensive line problem and relieve Sellers of carrying the entire burden.

As the 2025 season looms, it’s clear that Beamer and his squad are on the brink of something special—but only if they can address these pressing challenges. The potential is there, but so are the hurdles.

Eli Ellis, a future South Carolina basketball guard, is currently playing in the Overtime Elite championship series and is putting on a show. On Thursday night, he led his YNG Dreamerz team to a thrilling victory in game three, giving them a 2-1 series lead over the City Reapers. In the process, Ellis set an all-time record for the league.

The standout performance included 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. His four assists now make him the all-time leader in the Overtime Elite record books. Not only that, but he also holds the title as the league’s all-time leading scorer, and is a two-time defending MVP.

Ellis has been dominant throughout the series, showing off his skill in the first two games as well. For the series, he’s averaging an impressive 36.3 points per game, shooting over 50% from the field and beyond the arc. Now, with just one more win, the future Gamecock guard is on the verge of clinching an Overtime Elite championship.

Game four will take place on Friday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m., with game five (if needed) set for Sunday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. Both games will be available to stream on Overtime Elite’s YouTube channel.

In case you missed it, Ellis, ranked as the No. 70 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, committed to South Carolina last fall. He will be joining the team this summer, alongside teammate Hayden Assemian, a fellow Palmetto State native. Meanwhile, his brother Isaac Ellis and Kohl Rosario, both part of the 2026 class, are also USC targets.

In addition to Ellis and Assemian, South Carolina has secured two other commitments for the class of 2025: sharpshooting wing Grant Polk and versatile forward EJ Walker. This four-man class is currently ranked 49th nationally.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting Gamecock recruiting class and Ellis’s pursuit of an Overtime Elite championship.

As Selection Sunday quickly approaches and with women’s college basketball conference tournaments wrapping up, it’s time to start thinking about how the brackets might shape up. The big question is which teams will get the top spots and who will make the final push to the NCAA tournament title on April 6. While the bracket won’t officially be revealed until Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, our writers and editors have already made their predictions. Let’s break down their thoughts.

Projected No. 1 Seeds:

Emma Baccellieri has South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and UConn as her top four picks. She notes that Texas was a strong contender for the last No. 1 seed, but with South Carolina as her No. 1 overall pick, she couldn’t leave out UConn, especially after they handed the Gamecocks their toughest loss of the season. UConn also sits at No. 1 in the NET rankings, which strengthens their case for a top seed.

Clare Brennan also favors South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and puts Texas in the No. 2 spot after the Gamecocks dominated the SEC tournament. While USC might be better prepared for the Big Dance, UCLA gets the edge due to their Big Ten tournament win.

Zach Koons echoes the same No. 1 seed choices of South Carolina, USC, UCLA, and Texas, pointing out the Gamecocks’ strong record against Quad 1 teams and their dominance in the SEC tournament. He notes that the three teams following South Carolina could be ranked in any order due to their close competition.

Elizabeth Swinton also has South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and UConn, emphasizing that the Gamecocks are peaking at the right time for a national title run. Despite Texas’s strong finish, UConn’s impressive close to the regular season and Big East championship secured their place as a top seed.

Kristen Nelson, however, gives the edge to UCLA, South Carolina, USC, and UConn, acknowledging UCLA’s revenge win over USC in the Big Ten tournament, and South Carolina‘s return to form after February struggles, making them a solid No. 1 overall.

Bubble Team Picks:

Emma Baccellieri has Virginia Tech on the bubble. Despite the Hokies undergoing a rebuild after losing coach Kenny Brooks and key players, they’ve remained competitive and still have a shot to sneak into the NCAA tournament.

Clare Brennan is backing Iowa State, who are likely safe after their strong regular season. The Cyclones’ resume includes a solid NET ranking and an impressive win over Kansas State, which helps them stay on the right side of the bubble.

Zach Koons picks Murray State, the nation’s highest-scoring team. Though they might be a stretch for an at-large bid, their high-powered offense, led by Katelyn Young, makes them an intriguing tournament prospect.

Elizabeth Swinton also highlights Virginia Tech, who are keeping a close eye on the Ivy League tournament. The Hokies’ fate could depend on how many Ivy teams get into the NCAA tournament, with a win by Harvard potentially opening the door for Virginia Tech to make the field.

Kristen Nelson is rooting for Harvard, with the Crimson boasting the nation’s best scoring defense. They’d likely need a win over Princeton in the Ivy League semifinals to keep their hopes alive for an NCAA tournament bid.

National Championship Picks:

Emma Baccellieri believes South Carolina will take it all, pointing out their balanced, deep roster where even their two leading scorers come off the bench. The Gamecocks are a well-oiled machine, making them tough to beat in the tournament.

Clare Brennan also backs South Carolina, highlighting the team’s confidence and growth through the season. She acknowledges that UConn is a contender, but it’s hard to bet against the Gamecocks’ championship pedigree.

Zach Koons is going with USC, noting their nine-game win streak leading up to the conference tournament final, where they fell short against UCLA. With standout players JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, USC has the depth and postseason experience to make a strong run.

Elizabeth Swinton picks UConn, citing their return to form with a healthy Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. After their surprise Final Four berth last season, the Huskies are poised for a deeper run and could clinch their first title since 2016, assuming the bracket falls in their favor.

Kristen Nelson also favors UConn, with Bueckers and Fudd both firing on all cylinders after injury-plagued careers. She sees this as the perfect opportunity for Bueckers to cap off her college career with a national title before becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

We’re just days away from Selection Sunday—it’s shaping up to be a thrilling NCAA tournament with these powerhouses all in the mix for the championship. Stay tuned for the official bracket release!

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.

Previous news…..

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.

We’re celebrating the remarkable achievement of Lauren Jacobs, a standout point guard from Heathwood Hall, who has been named the Gatorade South Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.

Standing at 5-foot-9, Jacobs had an incredible senior year, averaging 25.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 2.4 assists per game, leading Heathwood to a 17-4 record and a spot in the SCISA Class 4A state semifinals.

On September 14, Jacobs committed to Ole Miss, choosing the Rebels over Dawn Staley‘s South Carolina team, which was also among her top 10 choices.

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, located in Columbia, holds significant basketball history, as it’s the same school where former Gamecocks star A’ja Wilson played. Wilson was honored as South Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014.

Jacobs, ranked No. 83 by ESPN, is a four-time state champion and a two-time SCISA Player of the Year. Heathwood Hall coach Brionna Zimmerman praised Jacobs, saying, “Lauren is a fantastic athlete and an even better person. She’s a strong student and has been accepted into the National Honor Society. She’s also led our team by example, both on and off the court.”

The past two South Carolina Girls Basketball Players of the Year were Joyce Edwards of Camden High, who now plays for Staley’s Gamecocks, and Ashlyn Watkins from Cardinal Newman School, who was recognized in 2021-22.

This award further solidifies Jacobs’ impressive career as she prepares to continue her journey with Ole Miss. For more updates on South Carolina athletics, stay tuned!

More news……

4-Star QB Landon Duckworth Plans Official Visit to South Carolina

Live Report: Four-Star QB Landon Duckworth’s Recruitment Heats Up as Senior Year Approaches

In the world of college football recruiting, few names have been generating as much buzz as four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth. After decommitting from South Carolina last summer, the talented 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal-caller has seen his recruitment soar. Coming off a dominant junior season, Duckworth is gearing up for his senior year, ready to further elevate his stock before making a final decision on where to play college ball.

Duckworth’s junior year stats are nothing short of impressive. He threw for 3,109 yards and 34 touchdowns, while also adding 631 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in just 14 games. Over the course of his high school career, the state champion quarterback has accumulated over 6,400 passing yards and 80 total touchdowns across 30 games.

Looking ahead, Duckworth has mapped out his official visit schedule, confirming his trips to his top four schools. He will first visit Georgia on May 30, followed by South Carolina on June 6, Florida State on June 13, and finally Ole Miss on June 20.

In a recent interview with On3’s Chad Simmons, Duckworth shared his thoughts on the recruiting process. “There are some other schools I’m considering, but Ole Miss, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida State are my main focus right now,” he said. “All of them are recruiting me hard, and they want me on campus this spring, so I’m planning to take official visits to all four.”

While South Carolina has worked hard to maintain a strong relationship with Duckworth in hopes of bringing him back into the fold, the Gamecocks are far from alone in their pursuit. Other powerhouse programs are also heavily involved in the race.

When asked about his commitment timeline, Duckworth was clear: “If I’m ready to commit before the season, I will,” he explained. “But if not, I’ll wait. What’s most important to me is the atmosphere of the school, how the coaches treat me, the offensive system, and the background of the staff in developing quarterbacks.”

As the summer draws closer, all eyes will be on this highly coveted recruit and his final decision on where he will take his talents next. The countdown to his commitment continues.

In a recent live interview with host Brad Muller, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley shared exciting updates, including the Gamecocks’ quest to set new all-time attendance records.

Since the 2014-2015 season, when A’ja Wilson first joined the team, South Carolina has consistently led the nation in attendance. This trend continues, with the Gamecocks now holding both the all-time total and average attendance records, established during their perfect 2023-2024 national championship run. Staley believes the team is poised to break these records once again this March.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the attendance figures from the 2020-2021 season remain unofficial.

When discussing the potential for breaking the attendance records, Staley was confident, calling it “easy” for the team’s devoted fans, the FAMs. She remarked, “If you challenge the FAMs, they’ll come through.”

In terms of numbers, the all-time attendance record of just over 273,000 could be surpassed if Colonial Life Arena attracts 18,000 more fans in the coming week. With South Carolina hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, and a likely victory over a 16-seed in the opener, the Gamecocks are expected to surpass that threshold. However, Staley acknowledged that tournament games don’t always sell out due to unpredictable schedules and rising ticket prices.

If South Carolina makes it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it would mark the team’s 17th game of the 2024-2025 season—matching last year’s record-setting total. If the Gamecocks surpass the 273,133 fans from last season, they will also set a new high for average attendance.

The exact timing of the Gamecocks’ next game remains uncertain, but fans can stay updated by tuning in to the Selection Sunday show on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. on March 16, or stream it via the ESPN app.

Stay connected with all things Gamecocks and catch up on the latest news on The Insiders Forum.

Te-Hina Paopao Shines in New Under Armour Campaign, Celebrates Samoan Culture

South Carolina star Te-Hina Paopao is proudly showcasing her Samoan heritage in a new Under Armour campaign. The sportswear brand shared the ad featuring Paopao on Instagram this Wednesday, with a message that reads, “This is family business @tehinapaopao is showing young Samoan girls that anything is possible.”

In the ad, the Gamecocks guard reflects on her childhood and the absence of female role models in basketball, sharing how she hopes to change that for the next generation of athletes.

“I want young Samoan girls to look up to me and be like, ‘Hey, she did this, so I can do this,’” Paopao expressed.

The ad also includes clips of Paopao in action, from her games to shooting practice, where she opens up about her basketball journey.

“I got into basketball because my brothers played it,” Paopao shared. “At a young age, it was very competitive, just because my brothers thought they were better than me. Now, I don’t think they can even touch me because… you know what? I’m not even gonna say that.”

Paopao also reflected on introducing her Samoan culture to her Gamecock teammates. It didn’t take long for them to notice the support system she has, with more than 20 family members coming to games to cheer her on.

“We’re very united, very family-oriented,” Paopao said of her Samoan roots.

The ad highlights Paopao’s journey, both on the court and in embracing her heritage, as she continues to be a powerful role model for young Samoan girls who aspire to make their mark in basketball.

In her senior season with South Carolina, Paopao is making her presence felt on the court. After transferring from Oregon, the guard is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. She’s started in every game this season and plays an average of 25.1 minutes per game. Her shooting accuracy is impressive, hitting 44.4% of her field goals, including 36.6% from beyond the arc.

As South Carolina remains a top contender, Paopao’s performance on the court and her inspiring campaign with Under Armour are leaving a lasting impact—both in basketball and within her culture.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award. This announcement was made Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, solidifying her spot among the top 10 coaches nominated for the honor.

Alongside Staley, other notable coaches nominated include Geno Auriemma from UConn, Cori Close from UCLA, Kenny Brooks of Kentucky, Lindsay Gottlieb from Southern Cal, Niele Ivey of Notre Dame, Wes Moore of NC State, Mark Campbell from TCU, Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt, and Vic Schaefer of Texas.

What makes this recognition even more special is Staley’s incredible track record—she’s won the Naismith Coach of the Year four times, including the past three seasons, making her the only coach in the history of the award to achieve such a feat.

This season, Staley led the Gamecocks to an impressive 30-3 record, securing both the SEC regular season and SEC Tournament championships for the third consecutive year. At the time of the announcement, South Carolina stands at second overall in the AP poll and remains one of the favorites for the coveted No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In a release from South Carolina Athletics, the program highlighted that under Staley’s leadership, the Gamecocks have maintained their dominance with an incredible 30-win season for the fourth year in a row, marking the eighth time in her 17 years at Columbia. Staley’s squad boasts the toughest schedule in the nation, according to the NET rankings, with 19 Quad 1 games—the most in the country—and 16 Quad 1 wins, also the highest nationally.

South Carolina has also earned 12 victories over ranked opponents, including an NCAA-best seven wins against top-10 teams. Remarkably, the Gamecocks have dominated those matchups, winning by an average margin of 20 points, with only one contest decided by single digits.

The team’s success comes from a balanced approach, with the Gamecocks ranked 11th in the nation in points per game. Staley’s offense is led by a team-first mentality, with seven players averaging at least 7.0 points per game. Additionally, South Carolina’s bench is the nation’s highest-scoring, contributing an average of 41.5 points per game.

As South Carolina awaits its seeding and opponent for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, the bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 16 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Stay updated on all things Gamecocks by checking GamecocksOnline.com and following the team’s social media at @GamecockWBB.

The full list of Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year semifinalists includes:

• Geno Auriemma (UConn)
• Kenny Brooks (Kentucky)
• Mark Campbell (TCU)
• Cori Close (UCLA)
• Lindsay Gottlieb (Southern Cal)
• Niele Ivey (Notre Dame)
• Wes Moore (NC State)
• Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt)
• Vic Schaefer (Texas)
• Dawn Staley (South Carolina)