The 2024 football season for South Carolina is over. The club will lose a few of its main players to graduation, the transfer portal, or the 2025 NFL draft as attention turns to the 2025 campaign.
One of the Gamecocks’ strongest areas in 2024 was the defense. The squad will need to adjust for the upcoming season as it looks to replace players in its secondary, linebacker corps, and defensive line.
On senior day, more than 40 Gamecock players walked or used the transfer portal. Many of the players were starters in 2024, and 17 of them were on the defensive end of the ball.
One player who will graduate and be selected in the 2025 NFL draft is Kyle Kennard. After transferring from Georgia Tech, Kennard played for the Gamecocks for one season.
Kennard was voted SEC Defensive Player of the Year and made the most of his one and only season in the garnet and black. He recorded 11.5 sacks this season, which was just 1.5 sacks short of tying the program record held by Jadeveon Clowney. Several draft analysts now predict that Kennard will be selected on the second day.
Another player anticipated to receive a lot of attention in this year’s NFL draft is defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. Several mock drafts have predicted that Sanders will be selected in the first round and will probably be off the board by the end of the second round.
Nick Emmanwori, a native of Irmo, announced his plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft on senior day, despite not walking. In 2024, Emmanwori recorded four interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and led the team in tackles. Emmanwori is regarded by many draft analysts as the second Gamecock removed from the board, while some believe he will be selected in the first round.
On defense, linebacker Debo Williams is among the other noteworthy losses. He was a team leader during his four years with the Gamecocks.
After using up all of his college eligibility, linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., a sixth-year senior who led the team in tackles this season and forced three fumbles, is also expected to quit the team.
Bam Another linebacker who is currently not expected to return is Martin-Scott. Martin-Scott, though, is asking the NCAA for one additional year of eligibility. Although the former JuCo player is arguing, a verdict has not yet been made.
Following a successful 2024 season, defensive back O’Donnell Fortune played his final game for the Gamecocks. Fortune finished the season with 47 total tackles and three interceptions. He will participate in the Hula Bowl All-Star game every year.
The senior day group included defensive tackles Alex Huntley and Tonka Hemingway. Both players contributed significantly to the Gamecocks’ defensive success.
In 2025, the Gamecocks are predicted to lose nine of their fifteen top tacklers.
The squad is predicted to lose more players on the offensive end of the ball, but fewer starters and important players.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, the leading rusher, announced his intention to enter the NFL draft. This season, he rushed for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns and performed admirably in crucial situations. Sanders transferred from Arkansas and played for the club for one season.
The tight end The gamecocks’ top receiver in terms of receptions and receiving yards was Joshua Simon. With 40 receptions for 519 yards and seven touchdowns, the senior concluded 2024.
Robby Ashford, the backup quarterback, just committed to Wake Forest after logging into the transfer portal. This season, Ashford made a few appearances on the field as a substitute for special run design plays. When LaNorris Sellers suffered an injury early in the season, he also stepped up and took over.
Against Akron, Ashford showed off his abilities as a starter by rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown and passing for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
Three of the Gamecocks’ starting offensive linemen are out. On Senior Day, Torricelli Simpkins, Vershon Lee, and Kamaar Bell all walked.
The Gamecocks will be looking for a new kicker and punter on special teams.
Kicker Alex Herrera had a mixed season; he scored all of his extra points but only made 15 of 21 field goal attempts. In games against LSU, Alabama, and Illinois, he missed a few crucial kicks that the team needed, but he also made a couple key ones.
The foundation of South Carolina’s “Beamer ball” strategy and a fan favorite is punter Kai Kroeger. Kroeger punted 265 times for 11,814 yards over his five seasons with the organization. His thrilling performance in fake kick scenarios, in which he completed seven to ten pass attempts for three touchdowns, will live on in his memory.
Although it will be challenging to find replacements for these guys, head coach Shane Beamer and his staff have already started searching the transfer site and recruiting high school talent.
The Gamecocks will eventually host their yearly spring game after returning to the practice field in the spring. The team’s 2025 campaign begins on August 31 in Atlanta versus Virginia Tech.
