The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame has unveiled its 14 finalists for the 2025 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy - and if you follow college football in the Palmetto State, this list reads like a who’s who of gridiron excellence. Nicknamed “South Carolina’s Heisman,” the Blanchard-Rogers Trophy recognizes the top college football player with ties to South Carolina, whether by birth, high school, or college roots.
And this year’s group? It’s stacked.
Headlining the finalists are four standouts from the South Carolina Gamecocks - Brandon Cisse, Nyck Harbor, Jalon Kilgore, and Bryan Thomas Jr. Each brought serious heat this season and earned their spot among the state’s elite.
The winner will be crowned during the SCFHOF’s 13th Annual Enshrinement Ceremony on April 16, 2026, at the upscale Hotel Hartness in Greenville. But before then, fans, media, and SCFHOF members can cast their votes at scfootballhof.org through January 30, 2026.
Let’s break down the finalists - and what makes each of them deserving of this honor.
Sammy Brown - LB, Clemson (Sophomore)
Stats: 91 tackles | 12.5 TFL | 5 sacks | 1 INT | 1 FF | 1 FR | 5 PD | 6 QBH
Brown was a force in the middle for Clemson, showing off the kind of sideline-to-sideline range and downhill aggression that makes him a nightmare for offensive coordinators. He filled up the stat sheet and anchored a Tigers defense that leaned heavily on his instincts and physicality.
Reed Charpia - QB, Newberry College (Graduate)
Stats: 67.2% comp | 3,978 pass yards | 30 TDs | 151.9 efficiency rating
Charpia put up video game numbers at Newberry, slinging it all over the field with poise and precision. Nearly 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns is no small feat, and his efficiency rating speaks to how well he protected the football while keeping defenses on their heels.
Brandon Cisse - DB, South Carolina (Junior)
Stats: 27 tackles | 1.5 TFL | 1 INT | 1 FF | 5 PBU
Cisse didn’t rack up gaudy numbers, but his impact was felt in coverage. He played with discipline and physicality, locking down receivers and flashing ball skills when it mattered. A reliable presence in the secondary for the Gamecocks.
Nyck Harbor - WR/KR, South Carolina (Junior)
Stats: 30 receptions | 618 yards | 20.6 YPC | 6 TDs | 242 kick return yards | 872 total yards
Harbor is a matchup nightmare. At 6’5” with track-star speed, he averaged over 20 yards per catch - a number that jumps off the page. Add in his return ability, and you’ve got a dynamic playmaker who can change a game in a heartbeat.
Jalon Kilgore - Safety/Nickel, South Carolina (Junior)
Stats: 54 tackles | 2 INTs | 2 FR | 10 PD
Kilgore was everywhere for the Gamecocks - in coverage, in the box, and around the football. His versatility made him a defensive chess piece, and his knack for creating turnovers gave South Carolina’s defense a much-needed edge.
Montie Quinn - RB, Curry College (Senior)
Stats: 2,446 rush yards | 27 TDs | 9.8 YPC | 112 rec yards | 1 rec TD | 2,558 total yards | 28 total TDs
Talk about explosive. Quinn’s nearly 10 yards per carry is eye-popping, and his 2,558 total yards and 28 touchdowns make him one of the most productive players in the country, regardless of level. He was Curry’s offense - and a nightmare for every defense he faced.
Adam Randall - RB, Clemson (Senior)
Stats: 779 rush yards | 9 rush TDs | 31 receptions | 246 rec yards | 3 rec TDs | 182 return yards | 1,207 total yards | 12 total TDs
Randall did a little bit of everything for Clemson. Whether it was pounding the rock, catching passes out of the backfield, or flipping field position on returns, he brought steady production and veteran leadership to the Tigers’ offense.
Jhalyn Shuler - LB, South Florida (Graduate)
Stats: 105 tackles | 7.5 TFL | 2.5 sacks | 1 INT | 2 FF | 2 FR | 7 PD | 1 defensive TD
Shuler was a tackling machine and a turnover magnet. With over 100 tackles and a defensive touchdown to his name, he made plays at every level of the defense and brought a relentless motor to the field every week.
Jordan Smith - WR, South Carolina State (Graduate)
Stats: 59 receptions | 943 yards | 16.0 YPR | 9 rec TDs | 130 rush yards | 2 rush TDs | 11 total TDs
Smith was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. Whether it was stretching the field or taking handoffs, he found the end zone 11 times and gave SC State a versatile weapon in their offensive arsenal.
Braylon Staley - WR, Tennessee (Freshman)
Stats: 64 receptions | 806 yards | 12.6 YPR | 6 TDs
A true freshman making this list? That tells you all you need to know.
Staley stepped onto the SEC stage and didn’t blink, putting up solid numbers and proving he belongs among the best. The Aiken native has a bright future ahead.
Joshua Stoneking - EDGE, Furman (Sophomore)
Stats: 79 tackles | 23 TFL | 14.5 sacks | 2 PD | 2 FF | 9 QBH | 1 blocked kick
Stoneking was a one-man wrecking crew. His 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss are jaw-dropping, and his ability to consistently pressure the quarterback made him one of the most disruptive defenders in the country.
Bryan Thomas Jr. - EDGE, South Carolina (Senior)
Stats: 41 tackles | 12 TFL | 8 sacks | 1 PD | 3 FF | 14 QBH
Thomas brought the heat off the edge for the Gamecocks, racking up pressures and finishing plays with authority. His blend of speed and power made him a constant problem for opposing tackles.
Jarod Washington - DB, South Carolina State (Senior)
Stats: 35 tackles | 1 TFL | 2 INTs | 1 FF | 21 PD | 2 defensive TDs
Washington had a nose for the football - and a knack for turning defense into offense. With two pick-sixes and 21 pass breakups, he was one of the most active and impactful corners in the state.
Peter Woods - DT, Clemson (Junior)
Stats: 40 tackles | 3.5 TFL | 2 sacks | 2 PD | 6 QBH | 15 rush yards | 2 rush TDs
Woods isn’t just a space-eater - he’s a playmaker. He clogged up run lanes, pushed the pocket, and even found the end zone twice on offense. At 315 pounds, that’s not something you see every day.
These 14 finalists represent the best of what South Carolina football has to offer - talent, toughness, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field. The Blanchard-Rogers Trophy isn’t just about stats; it’s about legacy. And this group is more than ready to carry that torch.