'A complete linebacker': What makes Bam Martin-Scott 'poised for a huge year'

Many would suspect Bam Martin-Scott started to burst onto the scene with South Carolina towards the end of last year. That’s partially true. But Shane Beamer saw this coming for awhile now.

When asked about Scott on Tuesday, Beamer referenced the final play of a 30-24 win over Texas A&M in 2022. With one second left in the game, Martin-Scott came crashing in from the outside. As he broke off a block, Aggies quarterback Connor Weigman readied to fire up a Hail Mary. But Martin-Scott was all over Weigman and hit him as he threw to seal victory for the Gamecocks.

So when Martin-Scott’s success translated over to last season, it wasn’t much of a surprise to Beamer. He’s known what type of player he is. It just took some time to put it all together.

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In 10 games last year, with three starts, Martin-Scott doubled his tackling numbers and went from 16 to 38, including four tackles for loss. He finished with double-digit tackles against both Vanderbilt and Clemson. He also recorded two sacks.

“I think he just gained confidence defensively with what we were asking him to do,” Beamer said. “So he’s a guy that’s very athletic, can play sideline to sideline, has size, good on special teams. He’s put in the work in and has high expectations as he rightfully should and does.”

Going into this year, Beamer believes the sixth-year linebacker is “poised for a huge year” as he’s been having a strong preseason with the Gamecocks.

“I think he has certainly put himself on the radar to have a good year and he’s put himself on the radar of NFL teams,” Beamer said. “There’s a lot of NFL teams that are really excited about Bam Scott and his size and athleticism and his ability to play special teams, whatever it might be. You’ve seen that, or I have, for the last few years, just some of the stuff he’s done on special teams. He’s always been a big body that can run and has athleticism.”

Beamer’s not the only one to see what his potential looks like. Defensive coordinator Clayton White always tries to keep his expectations for his defense high. That’s the case when it comes to coaching Martin-Scott.

“I think Bam has really improved in that area. He wasn’t far off, but he’s definitely picked up his play on and off the field,” White said. “He has a bright future. He’s doing a really good job in all aspects, not just the physical part, but the mental part, and also bringing his teammates along. But high expectations and standards on an everyday basis, not just the end result.”

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While the team’s depth chart hasn’t come out yet for the season opener, Martin-Scott could crack the starting lineup at one of the linebacker spots. Debo Williams will start at linebacker as well, potentially along with a newcomer in sixth-year transfer Demetrius Knight Jr.

Knight and Martin-Scott have only been teammates for a few months now. But from everything Knight has seen, he thinks very highly of what his teammate brings to the linebacker room and to the defense as a whole.

“He’s been a complete linebacker,” Knight said. “Really what scouts and really what this team is looking for. A great leader for the room. A guy that even myself, even a guy that I look up to with his abilities that he has: playing balls in the air, playing the run, playing the pass. Really a complete backer that can play all four downs, which is what you want, especially in this league in the SEC. So it’s great to see him get after it.”

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