Breaking news:Five star OL Kodi Greene,decommit from Oregon Flip to South Carolina Gamecocks Today over Alabama and Auburn welcome see More…
Breaking news:Five star OL Kodi Greene,decommit from Oregon Flip to South Carolina Gamecocks Today over Alabama and Auburn welcome see More…
Gamecock football EDGEs Desmond Umeozulu and Dylan Stewart talk during the spring
Gamecock football EDGEs Desmond Umeozulu and Dylan Stewart talk during the spring game in 2024 (Photo: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral.com)
In just over a week, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer will lead his team out of the tunnel for one last time in 2024. The Gamecocks will match up with the Illinois Fighting Illini in Orlando in the Citrus Bowl.
Beamer and his players have repeatedly talked about the importance of earning a 10th win this season. South Carolina has only reached double-digit victories four other times in program history.
However, bowl games present unique opportunities in modern football. Thanks to the transfer portal and opt-outs, the personnel for the game will look a little different. The Gamecocks will be without All-American pass rusher Kyle Kennard who has already begun preparing for the NFL Draft. Running back Rocket Sanders has not officially made the same call but, similarly, has declared for the draft. 13 scholarship players also have left the team via the transfer portal.
Bowl games always give teams a chance to try out some new personnel looks. Those personnel changes only increase the likelihood that the Gamecocks will play some new faces.
As things stand today, USC is about a 10-point favorite in the game. If things get out of hand (a possibility as South Carolina won six contests by at least 21 points, and Illinois lost both of its games against top-15 opponents by multiple scores), the opportunity to play some younger or less-experienced players will be even greater.
So, which Gamecocks could use the Citrus Bowl to springboard themselves into a bigger role in 2025?
