South Carolina football loses a top-100 recruit in the 2026 class, forcing HC Shane Beamer to explore other options

In the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between South Carolina and Illinois, Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer felt pretty good about where his team sat at halftime. The game was well under control at the time, and though there had been some iffy red-zone work, there was nothing to suggest panic was in order.

South Carolina football finished with a 9-4 record and lost in the Citrus Bowl. Here's where early 2025 projections have the Gamecocks ranked.