Gerald Kilgore inks deal to return to South Carolina
After transferring to South Carolina ahead of the 2024 season, rising redshirt junior defensive back Gerald Kilgore has officially locked in his return for the 2025 season.
The Eatonton, Ga. native, and brother of Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore, has signed a deal with Garnet Trust, the official South Carolina collective announced on Monday afternoon.
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The 6-foot, 216-pound Kilgore appeared in all 12 games in the regular season this year and racked up seven total tackles, including five solo tackles. Used primarily on special teams, Kilgore is expected to compete for a larger role on defense in 2025. Of his 183 snaps this season, 161 were on special teams.
Prior to transferring to South Carolina, Kilgore played one season at Tennessee Tech. While there, Gerald had 35 tackles, 25 of which were solo. He also had five pass deflections as a freshman.
Garnet Trust announced on Christmas Eve that it’s signed a new deal with SEC Freshman of the Year quarterback LaNorris Sellers after previously inking an agreement with On3 National Freshman of the Year Dylan Stewart.
“Kudos to our fanbase, kudos to our administration, kudos to the Garnet Trust for all they’ve done to be able to help us and our guys out in so many ways,” Soutch Carolina coach Shane Beamer said of South Carolina’s efforts in player retention last year. “This program is about relationships, honesty, and trust and having conversations with guys, and building relationships throughout the season. Guys have expressed to us that they want to be (here).”
“I think retaining our current roster is the most important thing,” added Darren Uscher, South Carolina football’s Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting, during a recent appearance on GC Live.
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Gerald Kilgore’s bio from GamecocksOnline
Defensive back who transferred to South Carolina after two years at Tennessee Tech, an FCS program out of the Ohio Valley Conference located in Cookeville, Tenn… joins his brother, Jalon Kilgore, in the Gamecock secondary… figures to work at safety… has two years of eligibility remaining (following the 2024 season).
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Played in 11 contests for the Golden Eagles… recorded 37 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss… credited with five pass breakups… played his best ball at the end of the season after moving into the starting lineup for the final four games… notched 24 of his 37 tackles and all five of his pass breakups over the season’s final four games, including back-to-back contests against UT Martin and Garner-Webb when he logged 7.0 tackles each… had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup against Gardner-Webb… Tennessee Tech posted a 4-7 record under head coach Dewayne Alexander.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see any action as a true freshman at Tennessee Tech… redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL
A three-sport athlete at Georgia’s Putnam County High… completed 96-of-178 passes for 1,870 yards, averaging 19.5 yards per completion and 143.8 yards per game as a senior quarterback in 2021… threw for 20 touchdowns… also ran for 478 yards on 67 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns.
PERSONAL
Gerald J. Kilgore was born Sept. 11, 2003… is a services management major at South Carolina… younger brother, Jalon, also plays for the Gamecocks.