South Carolina puts four on true freshman top 100 list
South Carolina football’s 2024 roster was built on a combination of senior leadership and young talent. The latter gives Gamecock fans hope that another strong season is in the cards next fall.
According to College Football Network’s list of the top 100 true freshmen in the sport this season, USC’s future remains in good hands. The Gamecocks put four first-year players on the list.
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As expected, Dylan Stewart featured prominently as the top defensive freshman in college football. CFN placed the standout pass rusher at No. 2 overall, behind only Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The former 5-star was among the most impactful EDGE players (regardless of class) and approached several USC freshman records.
Stewart finished 2024 with 6.5 sacks despite playing on a defensive line that gobbled up 28.5 other quarterback takedowns.
Coming in at No. 42, left tackle Josiah Thompson started all year for the Gamecocks (minus one game due to injury) and improved as the season progressed. Only Colorado’s Jordan Seaton ranked higher among true freshman offensive linemen. He will anchor the Carolina offensive line once again next season.
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Thompson struggled a bit out of the gate but rebounded nicely with his best games late in the year.
Next up for the Gamecocks on CFN’s list was wide receiver Mazeo Bennett. At No. 65, Bennett also was 12th among all wide receivers. Because of his ability to get separation (resulting in three wide-open touchdowns this year), Bennett got off to a strong start this season before an injury. The Palmetto State native will be in the mix for the top receiver job in 2025.
Bennett led USC in wide receiver catches (30) and logged 337 yards and three touchdowns.
Rounding out the list at No. 100, tight end Michael Smith did just enough in 2024 to think a breakout could come next fall. Despite playing behind NFL-bound Josh Simon and veteran Brady Hunt, Smith flashed at times. His touchdown against Missouri was one of the biggest of the season.
Smith had just 10 catches on the year but logged significant snaps in every game he was healthy.
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South Carolina did a great job retaining its top young talent, something not easy in the transfer portal era. All four of Stewart, Thompson, Bennett, and Smith will return next fall. In fact, as things stand, only one high school player from the Gamecocks’ 2024 class will not be around in 2025.
Shane Beamer and company have another big-time freshman group coming in this cycle, as well. With a group ranked in the top 20 nationally for the third cycle in a row, there could be even more Gamecocks on College Football Network’s 2025 list.
