Shane Beamer isn’t expecting South Carolina to walk into the season with much national buzz, and he’s not pretending otherwise.
At SEC Media Days on Tuesday, the Gamecocks coach was upbeat about where his team stands, even after a rough 2025 that saw South Carolina go from a trendy College Football Playoff pick to a 4-8 finish. Beamer’s message was clear: the outside skepticism is coming, but he likes what he has in the building.
A big part of that confidence comes from continuity. South Carolina is bringing back a young roster that has already been through the grind, and several of the most important names were part of the 2024 team that got close to a CFP berth. That group includes quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart.
“This year, we won’t be picked very high. I get that,” Beamer said.
“We have the same players that we did last year when you picked us high, and they’re another year older. I’m very excited about that.”
There’s also a new voice running the offense. Kendall Briles has been brought in as offensive coordinator, and that change is central to South Carolina’s push to improve on that side of the ball. Last season, the Gamecocks finished 13th in the SEC in yards per play, a number they’ll be aiming to move well past.
The betting markets aren’t buying into the optimism just yet. According to BetMGM, South Carolina’s win total is set at 6.5, and the Gamecocks are listed at +850 to make the College Football Playoff.
In Other News...
Gamecocks Just Got A Crucial Update On Two Key Starters
South Carolina got a reassuring health update on two players it badly wants available when the season opens, with Shane Beamer offering a clearer picture of where edge rusher Dylan Stewart and offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak stand after both were sidelined during spring practice. Peak has moved into running work, while Stewart is expected to increase his activity soon, a sign the Gamecocks are at least trending in the right direction as summer workouts continue.
The next checkpoint matters because neither player is simply being eased back for the sake of it. Beamer said further evaluations will help determine final clearance, and the staff is still looking for both to be ready when the games count, including the opener against Kent State. For a team trying to build stability on both lines, getting even a cautious green light on two starters would be a meaningful step, but the last word still belongs to the medical staff. [Read more 🡒]
LaNorris Sellers Just Changed Everything For South Carolina In 2026
LaNorris Sellers is coming back to South Carolina for the 2026 season, a decision that gives the Gamecocks the kind of stability every program wants at quarterback and not many actually get. After a season in which his production dipped from the year before, Sellers still has the kind of talent that can tilt games in the SEC, and his return keeps the offense built around a player the staff knows well and trusts.
Sellers decision also says plenty about where he believes he fits best, with his loyalty to Shane Beamer and the people around the program clearly carrying weight. For South Carolina, it is more than just getting its starter back. It keeps alive the idea that the Gamecocks can stay relevant in the league race and gives them a real chance to be part of the conversation when the SEC picture starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]