There are 14 seniors with scholarships on the South Carolina football players list who have a chance to go back and play another year, as the 2020 season did not count for a player’s eligibility. New head coach Shane Beamer he said that some of those elderly people expressed a desire to return, but he did not want to spoil any kind of advertisement.
Beamer also admitted, however, that players can change their minds and choose to move on, whether for graduation or for another program.
Some of the seniors who may choose to return can help fill in the blanks evident on the list. Some have great experience and credentials that can help Beamer in his first year leading the program.
“I had a few,” said Beamer, when asked which elderly people said they would like to come back, “but I will let them announce when they feel comfortable. I don’t want to speak for these guys and what their plans are. I am very pleased with the guys who told me they want to go back and play another year. I am very excited about this. “
Seniors who are definitely leaving
WR Shi Smith
OL Sadarius Hutcherson
Seniors who have not yet announced
QB Collin Hill
FB Adam Prentice
DL Keir Thomas
DB Jaylan Foster
ATH Chandler Farrell
PK Parker White
LB Spencer Eason-Riddle
DL Jabari Ellis
YOU Nick Muse
DL Aaron Sterling
LB Damani Staley
LB Sherrod Greene
From the point of view of numbers, Staley and Greene in the linebacker and Foster in the defensive backfield may be the most important. Gamecocks are dangerously thin in both positions. The linebackers played 72 games with 35 combined matches. Foster did not see much meaningful playing time in defense until this season, when he played in all 10 games with five starts to his credit.
Gamecocks certainly need as much help as they can get on the defensive line with Ellis and Thomas, who have played well a few times this season and Thomas has three years of significant production. Sterling was one of the SEC’s top players when it comes to loss tackles in 2019, before having a season full of injuries in 2020.
Muse was the team’s best tight end this season and the team’s second biggest receiver. White has the third highest field goal in the program’s history and is also third in goals.
“I had some elderly people who obviously have another year of eligibility or can move on and some of these guys contacted me to say that they initially planned to move on and not play another year, but they are excited, they are energized, they are ready to roll and they want to come back, ”said Beamer. “It was exciting to hear that mentality as well. I understand that this can change, but everything has been positive in my conversations so far. “
Obviously, there will be some transition to the squad when a new head coach takes over and some players will want a new chance at a new place, while others may want to start a career outside of college.
But there are elderly people who want to return for another year with Gamecocks, and there are certainly some who will make a difference on the field.