The NCAA decided that the 2020 football season would not count on a student-athlete’s watch, so each player would receive a free year to play football. This means that the elderly can return to another race at their own school or transfer to another one in the 2021 season.
There were 16 players in the South Carolina football squad in 2020, whose eligibility was set to expire before the NCAA decision, which arose due to the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Of these 16 players, some chose to play another year for Gamecocks, while others chose another path.
It was decided to move to other schools and some are leaving football for another career. Others are still deciding what their future holds.
The good news for Gamecocks and the first year head coach Shane Beamer Half the players are scheduled to return to the program. Some are newbies, others are contributors, and every bit of talent and experience is needed on a list that has seen several defections to the NFL and the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Let’s take a look at the 16 players who had the opportunity to return and what that means for South Carolina in the 2021 football season.
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