As South Carolina football looks to regain its footing in the SEC under Shane Beamer in 2025, there’s a growing sense that the team could exceed expectations. After a frustrating 2024 season filled with injuries, inconsistent offensive line play, and missed opportunities, the Gamecocks are eyeing a return to bowl eligibility and relevance in the conference. That journey will rely heavily on a new crop of players ready to take the next step — not just to fill voids, but to become difference-makers. Every successful program in the SEC has a group of breakout performers who elevate the team from average to formidable, and South Carolina has no shortage of candidates ready to seize the spotlight. Whether it’s young talent ready for their first real opportunity, transfers with untapped potential, or veterans finally stepping into starring roles, the Gamecocks are loaded with names to watch.
All eyes will naturally be on quarterback LaNorris Sellers, the redshirt sophomore with all the tools to become the next face of the program. Sellers flashed his ability in limited action last season, showing off a cannon for an arm, good pocket presence, and dangerous mobility. With Spencer Rattler now gone and the position officially his, Sellers is expected to be the offensive catalyst in Dowell Loggains’ system. What makes Sellers particularly exciting isn’t just the physical gifts — which are legitimate — but the maturity and poise he showed in spot duty last season. If South Carolina’s offensive line can offer even modest protection, Sellers could make a massive leap. He’s the kind of quarterback who can take over games and completely shift the Gamecocks’ offensive ceiling.
Of course, a quarterback is only as effective as his supporting cast, and that’s where redshirt freshman wide receiver Mazeo Bennett enters the picture. A former four-star recruit out of Greenville, Bennett has turned heads in spring camp with his explosiveness and polished route-running. South Carolina lost several key contributors at wideout, and Bennett has quickly positioned himself as a go-to target. His chemistry with Sellers is already evident, and his speed after the catch gives the Gamecocks a much-needed playmaker. Bennett is the type of receiver who doesn’t just catch the ball—he makes defenses panic in space. If he can stay healthy and continue his rapid development, he’ll be a name that SEC defensive coordinators know well by midseason.
Another weapon who could emerge in 2025 is freshman running back Matthew Fuller. South Carolina’s backfield was a weakness last season, often struggling to establish the run behind an inconsistent offensive line. But Fuller has drawn rave reviews for his physicality, vision, and toughness between the tackles. A 6-foot, 210-pound downhill runner, Fuller brings an SEC frame and fearless attitude. While he’ll face competition from veterans like Juju McDowell and Mario Anderson, Fuller might be the most complete back on the roster. He doesn’t just break tackles—he finishes runs with authority. That kind of edge is exactly what the Gamecocks need to control tempo and protect their young quarterback.
Offensive line play remains the biggest question for South Carolina entering 2025, but there’s quiet optimism around tackle Josiah Thompson, the highly-touted redshirt freshman who could anchor the line for years to come. A former five-star recruit from Dillon, South Carolina, Thompson has the elite athleticism and technical base to develop into an All-SEC lineman. While he spent most of last season developing behind older players, he’s now penciled in as a starter — and possibly the most important one. Protecting LaNorris Sellers’ blind side will be key, and Thompson looks ready to rise to the challenge. He’s lean, mean, and obsessed with getting better. Expect some early growing pains, but the upside is undeniable. This could be the start of something special.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard looks poised to make a significant jump. Howard saw limited snaps in 2024 but impressed coaches with his sideline-to-sideline speed and nose for the football. A former blue-chip recruit, Howard was recruited to be a centerpiece of Clayton White’s defense, and now the opportunity is there. He’s added muscle, improved his play recognition, and looks like a future SEC tackling machine. South Carolina’s defense often struggled to stop the run last season, but Howard’s emergence could help change that. He brings juice, confidence, and natural leadership — all traits that make breakout seasons possible.
Staying in the front seven, defensive end Desmond Umeozulu might be the most important player for South Carolina’s pass rush in 2025. With the departure of key veterans, Umeozulu has a clear path to a starting role. His combination of length, quickness off the edge, and raw power makes him a nightmare in one-on-one situations. The key for him will be consistency. If he can learn to finish plays and develop a couple of go-to moves, he’ll rack up sacks in bunches. South Carolina desperately needs a disruptive edge presence, and Umeozulu is primed to provide it. He’s physically ready — now it’s about putting it all together on the field.
A name flying under the radar but with breakout potential is safety Jalon Kilgore. As a true freshman in 2024, Kilgore saw meaningful playing time and made the most of it, showing off tremendous instincts and range in the secondary. He plays with controlled aggression, rarely takes false steps, and always seems to be around the football. What’s more, he’s a sound tackler in the open field — something South Carolina’s defense struggled with at times last season. With another offseason to add strength and refine his technique, Kilgore could become a cornerstone of the Gamecock secondary. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need flashy stats to make a major impact. His steadiness and football IQ are already drawing comparisons to some of the SEC’s best safeties.
One of the most intriguing transfer additions to watch is tight end Brady Hunt, who arrived from Ball State. At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Hunt brings a blend of size and athleticism that the Gamecocks have lacked at the position since Jaheim Bell’s departure. Hunt was one of the top mid-major tight ends in the country before injuries slowed him down, but he’s now fully healthy and could become a security blanket for Sellers in the passing game. What makes Hunt so valuable is his versatility — he can line up in-line as a blocker, flex out to the slot, or even run intermediate routes over the middle. With the right usage, he could become a key red-zone target and chain-mover.
Another transfer who has impressed during offseason workouts is cornerback Keenan Nelson Jr., a former blue-chip recruit who started his career at Penn State. Nelson brings physicality, ball skills, and toughness to a South Carolina secondary in transition. The Gamecocks have struggled with depth and discipline at corner in recent years, but Nelson’s arrival could stabilize things. He’s not afraid to challenge receivers at the line, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder — something Beamer’s staff loves. If Nelson can adapt quickly to SEC speed, he could become the team’s CB1 and lock down some of the conference’s best wideouts.
Rounding out the list is a player who could become one of the most exciting return specialists in college football — freshman athlete Debron Gatling. Though recruited primarily as a wide receiver, Gatling’s game-breaking speed and vision make him a natural fit on special teams. South Carolina ranked near the bottom of the SEC in return yardage last season, and Gatling could instantly change that. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, capable of turning a five-yard gap into a 60-yard touchdown. Gatling also has the tools to contribute on offense as a slot receiver, but his quickest path to impact is through the return game. If he can flip field position and occasionally take one to the house, he’ll be worth his weight in gold.
With a promising crop of young talent, an experienced coaching staff, and renewed belief in the program’s direction, South Carolina has the pieces in place for a 2025 turnaround. But it won’t happen without breakout performances. These ten players — a mix of underclassmen, transfers, and developmental prospects — represent the most likely candidates to elevate their game and, in doing so, elevate the Gamecocks. The SEC remains a brutal gauntlet, and South Carolina will have to fight for every inch. But with guys like LaNorris Sellers commanding the huddle, Mazeo Bennett torching defenders, and Pup Howard leading the defense, there’s reason to believe Columbia might soon be home to one of the league’s most surprising teams.
