South Carolina football named breakout candidate by On3 national writer
South Carolina football has been a popular name this offseason. Because of on-field improvement, a handful of star players, year-after-year recruiting success, and a general outperformance of preseason expectations, the Gamecocks are viewed as a program on the rise in the national landscape.
[Join GamecockCentral: $1 for 7 days]
On Friday, On3 national writer Ari Wasserman included South Carolina on his list of ten potential breakout teams for 2025. Along with the Florida Gators, LSU Tigers, Iowa State Cyclones, Auburn Tigers, BYU Cougars, Kansas State Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Illinois Fighting Illini, and–yes–the rival Clemson Tigers, Wasserman views the Gamecocks as a team that could take a step forward this fall. As Wasserman believes, Carolina has “a chance to be awesome next year.”
For South Carolina, a team that narrowly missed the 2024 College Football Playoff, a step forward is a big deal. A step forward would mean that Shane Beamer’s team cracks the 12-team playoff field. Wasserman’s On3 colleague JD PicKell projected USC as a playoff team in an early prediction this week.
If South Carolina’s additions (both in traditional recruiting and from the transfer portal) pan out, the Gamecocks will be good again this fall. Not many argue against that point. However, the garnet and black will have to be better than good to make a real splash.
According to Wasserman, for that to happen this fall, the Gamecocks must continue beating good teams (Carolina knocked off four ranked teams in 2024) while adding some wins over great teams (USC lost to LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama when all three were in the top 16).
Top 10
- 1
Brad Stevens
Makes Indiana intentions clear
- 2
Auburn vs. Alabama odds
Point spread released
- 3
Dawn Staley
Admonishes rev-share reversal
- 4Hot
March Madness
Predicting Top 16 reveal
- 5Trending
Joel Klatt
NFL Mock Draft
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The On3 analyst’s garnet-colored optimism stems largely from South Carolina’s returning star power. On offense, redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers is one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the country. On defense, rising sophomore EDGE Dylan Stewart is a future NFL Draft first-rounder who was excellent in 2024 despite just scratching the surface of his potential in his first collegiate season.
Win tickets to USC-Clemson baseball (Sunday game in Columbia)
The road to meeting these lofty expectations won’t be easy. As usual, South Carolina owns one of the toughest strengths of schedule in all of college football. However, the front end of the slate might be a little lighter. If USC, indeed, steps up next fall, perhaps the lighter start could build confidence before the schedule gets more difficult.
The 2025 version of the South Carolina football team should feature favorably in every preseason poll. The Gamecocks’ first opportunity to test that ranking will come on August 31st against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Aflac Kickoff Game (formerly known as the Chick-fil-A Kickoff) will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
