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.

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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.

Kiyomi McMiller

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.