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On3 updates way-too-early rankings, South Carolina still featured in top 10

by:Kevin Miller•about 8 hours•

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South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and quarterback LaNorris Sellers. (Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and quarterback LaNorris Sellers. (Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)

For good reason, South Carolina will be one of college football’s trendiest picks to take the “next step” this offseason. The Gamecocks surprised many in 2024 following a 9-3 regular season that left them just outside of the College Football Playoff field. They also have one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country in LaNorris Sellers. Strong recruiting work from Shane Beamer and his staff (both from the high school ranks and in the transfer portal) add to the optimism.

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Recently, On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman released their way-too-early rankings for 2025, and South Carolina featured prominently at No. 7. When they updated those rankings, the Gamecocks remained in the top 10.

Slotting in at No. 8, South Carolina again earned a spot in On3’s way-too-early top 10 because of returning talent.

Sellers wasn’t the only big-time young talent on last year’s squad. Both EDGE Dylan Stewart and left tackle Josiah Thompson earned Freshman All-American selections. Other returners like Jalon Kilgore, Tree Babalade, and Trovon Baugh have picked up postseason honors during their Gamecock careers.

Several incoming freshmen will contribute in 2025, and even more transfer portal additions will fight for starting roles.

For the third year in a row, the Gamecocks secured a top-20 recruiting class. 12 South Carolina signees are On3 4-star prospects, but if other major recruiting outlets are consulted, as well, the Gamecocks are bringing in 17 4-star recruits from the high school and junior college ranks. Because of that, several of these youngsters could play prominent roles even in their first year in Columbia.

South Carolina also is bringing in one of the most efficient portal hauls in the country. No expected 2025 contributors left the program, but the Gamecocks are bringing in a long list of potential impact players. Of USC’s 13 overall portal pledges, 11 have collegiate starting experience or were blue-chip prospects out of high school.

With all of that going for them, it is easy to see why On3 is optimistic about the Gamecocks’ chances next season.

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On3’s entire way-too-early top 25 is below:

  1. Texas Longhorns
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes
  3. Oregon Ducks
  4. Penn State Nittany Lions
  5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  6. Georgia Bulldogs
  7. Illinois Fighting Illini
  8. South Carolina Gamecocks
  9. Florida Gators
  10. Clemson Tigers
  11. Auburn Tigers
  12. Michigan Wolverines
  13. Tennessee Volunteers
  14. Alabama Crimson Tide
  15. LSU Tigers
  16. BYU Cougars
  17. Arizona State Sun Devils
  18. Oklahoma Sooners
  19. Texas A&M Aggies
  20. Kansas State Wildcats
  21. Miami Hurricanes
  22. SMU Mustangs
  23. Indiana Hoosiers
  24. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
  25. Nebraska Cornhuskers

*Texas Tech Red Raiders, Iowa State Cyclones, Missouri Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, and Washington Huskies all received votes but didn’t crack the top 25

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