Gamecocks Receive High Ranking in Latest ESPN way-too-early Ranking

Following an impressive turnaround at South Carolina this season, the hype surrounding Gamecocks football and fifth-year coach Shane Beamer is starting to get hot following a 9-4 season.

The hype train has begun for 2025 as ESPN ranks South Carolina in the top-10 of its way-too-early top 25 rankings ahead of spring practices which start in SEC country in just over one month.

Returning quarterback and Heisman hopeful LaNorris is set to return with a lucrative NIL endorsement along with dominant freshman edge rusher Dylan Stewart who recorded 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024. Beamer also adds the No. 19 freshmen recruiting class and a portal haul that currently sits No. 13 among SEC members.

Here is ESPN’s Mark Schlabach’s 2025 outlook for South Carolina:

“After a bounce-back campaign in which the Gamecocks won four more games than in 2023 — including victories over Texas A&M, Missouri and Clemson — they’ll have to replace the heart and soul of their defense this offseason. There are big personnel losses at all three levels, including Sanders and Kennard up front and Emmanwori on the back end. Three additions from the portal — defensive tackle Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M), LB Shawn Murphy (Florida State) and end Jaylen Brown (Missouri) — might be able to help.”

“Sellers will be working under new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, and improving his pocket presence and consistency will be a priority. Rahsul Faison, who ran for 1,109 yards with eight touchdowns at Utah State in 2024, will get a chance to replace leading rusher Sanders. If Sellers improves, the Gamecocks might be an even bigger surprise in 2025.”

South Carolina will be tasked with installing another offense after offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains left to take his first head coaching job at Appalachian State. Former Alabama head coach Mike Shula will take the reigns of a unit that scored 30 points per game and ranked No. 4 in the SEC with over 184 yards per game on the ground.