South Carolina’s secondary is getting a new look this offseason, and Gerald Kilgore is right in the middle of it.
The Gamecocks moved Kilgore from safety to nickel after Jalon Kilgore was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Draft, opening a spot that South Carolina had to fill. Kentucky transfer Quay'sheed Scott arrived to compete for the job too, setting up a battle that has carried through spring practice and into the summer.
For Gerald Kilgore, the switch is about more than simply changing spots on the field. Last season, he recorded 14 tackles and two interceptions at safety, and he’s now trying to carry that same playmaking edge into a role that asks for a different skill set.
“It was always in my mind towards the end of the season last year. Coach (Clayton) White was kind of the one that brought it to me just saying would I feel comfortable being there,” Kilgore said.
“I'm not going to shoot down opportunities like that to step in, knowing that Jalon had left, and we really didn't have anybody to step up. I was always ready to step up to the plate.
It didn't really matter safety, corner, nickel, wherever I need to be at. Just trying to be as versatile as possible.”
That versatility has come with a lot of work behind the scenes. Kilgore said the biggest adjustment has been the man coverage demands that come with lining up at nickel, especially against some of the SEC’s best slot receivers.
“It’s definitely a difference,” he said. “I say just the man aspect because obviously being a nickelback, you're going to guard some of the best receivers in the SEC, in the country in general, in that slot.
Just getting my mind ready for it and just in the offseason, putting in a lot of work on my man technique. I've gotten tremendously better, and I feel like I'm definitely ready to have a great season at nickel.”
The competition with Scott has only sharpened that process. Kilgore said the two are pushing each other every day, and even with a starting job up for grabs, both are expected to play meaningful snaps in Torrian Gray’s secondary this season.
“It’s been great. Just continuously learning,” Kilgore said on the position battle with Scott.
“Just teaching myself the things that I don't know about defense. I've come to know a lot of things, just as far as all the ins and outs, why we make certain calls and when at the time periods of it being.
So just continuing to grow, continue to keep building my IQ up for the game and just being consistent because it's one thing about knowing what I got, but I got to make the play when it's there. Just obviously staying consistent in that.”
He also had plenty of praise for Scott, calling him a player who brings energy and toughness to the fight for the job.
“Big-time impact. He's a real feisty guy,” Kilgore said.
“He's going to go get it, for sure. He's pushing me every day, and I'm pushing him every day.
Making each other better each and every day. He's come in, he doesn't know a whole bunch about our scheme and everything just yet, but he's figuring it out.
I'm helping him, again, like he's helping me. Us together, we're just going off each other, and it's going to be great.”
Kilgore isn’t content with what he showed last season, either. After making big plays at safety, he says there’s more coming in 2026, and he’s focused on proving it.
“I can't get caught up in those certain plays that people say, 'You made big play there.' It's more to happen,” he said.
“That's the reason why I'm back again this year to show everyone that there's more plays to be made from Gerald Kilgore. I'm just continuously trying to be consistent.”
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