Potential defensive starter not participating in South Carolina's first day of spring practice
South Carolina football began spring practice on Wednesday morning. However, when the Gamecocks took the field for the first time, they did so without a potential starter. A USC spokesperson told GamecockCentral on Wednesday that defensive back Vicari Swain is not practicing right now. Per the spokesperson, Swain is with the team but working through an academic issue.
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If Swain is able to return soon, he could still be on track for a major role on the South Carolina defense. While not a starter in 2024, the former 4-star prospect was a valuable member of the unit, rotating in for first-teamers O’Donnell Fortune and Judge Collier. With Fortune hopeful to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, Swain was a favorite to join Collier in the starting 11.
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During his redshirt freshman season in 2024, Swain contributed in all 13 games for South Carolina. He logged 13 total tackles, including a strip sack against Kentucky. Swain also knocked away a pass last fall and played tight coverage in most of his opportunities. He played 314 total snaps, sixth-most among secondary players in garnet and black. With five defensive backs typically on the field at a time, that made Swain Carolina’s top secondary reserve last season.
Regardless of Swain’s status, the Gamecocks’ defensive backfield will look different this fall. Fortune and safety Nick Emmanwori are off to the NFL, vacating two secondary spots. Judge Collier (corner), DQ Smith (safety), and Jalon Kilgore (nickel/safety) should start, but the other two spots will be part of major competitions this spring and summer. You can read more about those battles as GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell broke them down here.
