COLUMBIA — There were 25 players who signed with South Carolina football on national signing day Wednesday, with likely more on the way via the transfer portal.
Coach Shane Beamer has talent carrying over into the 2025 season on the Gamecocks roster but there are gaps to fill and players to replace.
Here’s who could have an instant impact in the 2025 season after national signing day:
Tight end Mike Tyler
Tyler flipped his commitment from LSU to South Carolina and is from Columbia, playing at the Hammond School.
The Gamecocks are losing Josh Simon, who has a team-high 450 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. On the depth chart now, there’s true freshman Michael Smith, who has nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Brady Hunt and Connor Cox are two other tight ends who played. If Smith slips into Simon’s go-to spot, there might be a new No. 2 and No. 3, where Tyler could play.
“We’ve had some pretty good success with Columbia, guys that have come here and thrived and think he’ll do the same,” Beamer said of Tyler.
Kicker Max Kelley
Alex Herrera is in his final season as is his backup William Joyce. It’s expected that freshman Mason Love replaces long-time punter Kai Kroeger, but Kelley is the No. 1 kicker in the class of 2025 and could be starting next season.
South Carolina loses key defenders after 2024 season
The Gamecocks are losing starters Alex Huntley and Tonka Hemingway on the defensive line, in addition to linebackers Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight, and edge defender Kyle Kennard. All five players have been instrumental to South Carolina’s success in 2024. Plus, defensive back Nick Emmanwori may declare for the NFL draft.
No. 1 junior college recruit Zavion Hardy may see early action on the defensive line. Either four-star edge Jaquavious Dodd or Donovan Darden could play opposite Dylan Stewart to replace Kennard.
Running back Jaquel Holman
Rocket Sanders has been a huge portal success for South Carolina but he’s gone after this year. Behind him has been Oscar Adaway, who does return. Jawarn Howell announced he plans to enter the portal.
Holman, a four-star running back ranked No. 10 in South Carolina, could play next season.
Gamecocks sign multiple four-star wide receivers, signing day highlights
Beamer called receivers coach Mike Furrey’s part of the recruiting class a “grand slam” after five signed, including starting QB LaNorris Sellers’ younger brother Jayden.
Malik Clark, Lex Cyrus, Brian Rowe Jr, and Jordon Gidron are all four-star signees with potential to play as true freshmen like Mazeo Bennett did this season. With many WRs returning, it’s not likely they will all instantly play but they were some of the best signees for South Carolina Wednesday.
South Carolina football’s signing day surprises
In addition to Tyler and Hardy, offensive lineman Damola Ajidahun flipped from Georgia Tech and the Gamecocks signed Christian Ingram, a DL from Georgia who picked them over Kentucky and Southern Cal.
South Carolina football recruiting rankings after national signing day
The Gamecocks still sit in the bottom half of rankings in the SEC but improved four spots in the national rankings.
South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class is No. 20 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and No. 12 in the SEC. The Gamecocks are above Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arkansas and Vanderbilt but sit below a majority of conference opponents.
FULL LIST: South Carolina football signing day updates: Recruiting rankings, best players in 2025 class
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
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