South Carolina football fans feel like their Gamecocks are on the rise. Following a strong back half of 2024, they are not alone in those thoughts. The hype surrounding USC and some of the team’s stars will be loud this offseason.

On Friday, On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman released their way-too-early 2025 top 10, and South Carolina cracked the list. In fact, the Gamecocks made it with room to spare, coming in at No. 7.

Their entire top 10 is below.

1. Texas Longhorns
2. Oregon Ducks
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. Georgia Bulldogs
7. South Carolina Gamecocks
8. Clemson Tigers
9. Florida Gators
10. Auburn Tigers

[Join GamecockCentral: $1 for 7 days]

South Carolina’s inclusion at No. 7, according to Staples, comes down to the team’s young talent. Dylan Stewart was an instant-impact menace off the edge, and then quarterback LaNorris Sellers turned into a star. Like Sellers and Stewart, left tackle Josiah Thompson also garnered some Freshman All-American love. The Gamecocks are bringing in their third top-20 high school recruiting class in a row and have hit home runs in the transfer portal in two of the past three cycles.

Living up to the hype of offseason top 10 expectations won’t be easy. However, with elite rising sophomores at (arguably) the most important positions on the field, the Gamecocks could be positioned to make a run. New offensive coordinator Mike Shula will need to do well, and the USC defense also will need to be great again. If those things happen and Shane Beamer and company can nail the transfer portal again, then Staples and Wasserman could be onto something.

This year, the Gamecocks finished 9-4 despite being pegged for 5 or 6 wins by most outlets this preseason. Carolina played in the best non-College Football Playoff bowl game, too, though they lost a heartbreaker to Illinois.

A truck driver from suburban Oak Lawn was charged after a bomb threat led authorities to shut down a South Carolina interstate for hours, law enforcement said.

Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, 28, was charged with breach of peace of high and aggravated nature, conveying false information about a bomb threat and no vehicle license.

At around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, a South Carolina State Transport Police officer pulled over a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in Greenville County due to a missing license plate, WYFF, the NBC affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina, reported. During the stop, the driver, identified as Alhendi, indicated there was an explosive device inside the vehicle, officials said.

All lanes of the highway were shut down while law enforcement investigated the threat.

Following the incident, Alhendi was placed on a detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Alhendi failed to comply with the terms of his legal admittance and now has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026, before an immigration judge, WYFF reported.

South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders has accepted an invitation to play in the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl announced the news on social media.

The East-West Shrine Bowl gives seniors the opportunity to perform in an all-star showcase environment. Practices, combines, and other professional evaluations will help players like Sanders while they prepare for the NFL Draft.

Sanders has earned NFL Draft projections following his strong senior season. Now, at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he will have the opportunity to perform in front of professional scouts, coaches, and decision-makers. Dallas’ AT&T Stadium will host the January 30th exhibition.

He joins fellow Gamecock NFL Draft-hopeful Kai Kroeger as South Carolina alums participating in the Shrine Bowl. Several other USC seniors with professional aspirations will play in other all-star showcases.

[Join GamecockCentral: $1 for 7 days]

In just one year with the Gamecocks, Sanders left a mark. He brought stability and big-play ability to a running game that was the worst in school history the previous season. His rushing totals were the highest in garnet and black since Kevin Harris’ SEC-leading 2020 campaign.

An All-SEC performer this fall, Sanders posted just under 1200 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns despite missing the Citrus Bowl, most of the Akron contest, and parts of the Ole Miss game. He also made one of the best run-after-catch plays in Gamecock history in the team’s last-minute win over the Missouri Tigers in the Mayor’s Cup.

Sanders’ NFL Draft future is difficult to read because of the position he plays. Outside of the top few running backs, the NFL often doesn’t use high draft picks on ball carriers. Because of that, Sanders’ draft grades have been all over the place. A strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl would help solidify his place for next April.