Kai Kroeger expresses confidence in South Carolina filling specialist voids
If Mason Love were at South Carolina in 2020, Kai Kroeger might not have had the career that he did. At least that’s what Kroeger thinks.
“I always say that if he were here when I was a freshman, I would have been somewhere else,” Kroeger said at South Carolina’s Pro Day. “He’s way better than I was as an 18-year-old.”
That year, Kroeger won starting punting duties in fall camp as a freshman, a spot he held for the next five seasons. It wasn’t until last year that Love came into the picture.
Love served as the backup as Kroeger entered his final year as the starting punter and holder. While he didn’t see any action in 2024, it was “a huge advantage” to learn from a veteran like Kroeger.
“It helped me a lot just kind of seeing from a professional like him how he carries himself when things are going good and then when things aren’t going good, how he responds,” Love said. “Also, how he takes care of himself, like stretching and recovery definitely a huge part of his game, and definitely something that I started doing. It helped me out a lot.”
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Now, going into the 2025 season, things will look much different. Kroeger’s time at South Carolina is over, and Love will compete to become the new starter.
But it’s not just Kroeger’s spot that is being filled. A new era for special teams will be ushered in as the Gamecocks are in search of a new placekicker, punter, holder and long snapper.
In addition to Kroeger, South Carolina is losing two other key starting specialists. Hunter Rogers, another five-year player, appeared in 43 games as the team’s long snapper. Alex Herrera, who used his sixth and final year of eligibility last season, won the starting kicker competition and connected on 15-of-21 field goals in 2024.
While it won’t be easy to replace what is being lost, Kroeger has full confidence in a new group of players potentially taking over this season.
“I think the guys we brought in and are bringing in. Like, Mason was obviously here for a year, and he’s tremendous,” he said. “I always say he’s a huge reason for the successful season that I had this past season was because of him. (He was) a big part of it.
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“The new snapper, Kyler (Farrow), is incredible. He throws with the speed that Hunter has. Obviously just still working on the accuracy as a new guy. And then Max (Kelley) is coming in, but obviously, the kickers we have, Mason can also kick.”
Farrow joined the program in January and will compete with longtime backup Cole Rasmussen for Rogers’ spot. Gunnar Yocum and Jordan Franke will also be in the mix.
As for kicker, a position that had a competition last season, will feature Love, Peyton Argent and William Joyce as the returnees. Kelley will join the team as a freshman later this summer.
“I like to think we’re not losing any talent at those positions,” Kroeger said. “So I feel confident going into the season for the guys.”
Then, at punter, Love could make a seamless transition to fill Kroeger’s shoes. He’s already received plenty of praise from special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. And he also has the seal of approval from Kroeger himself.
“He’s hard-working and driven,” Kroeger said about Love. “So he’s going to be amazing and hopefully he doesn’t break any records that I have or (Joseph Charlton) has, but it’ll be cool to watch him for sure.”
