- Defensive line leads the way: South Carolina enters 2026 with PFF’s No. 9 defensive line, led by projected top-five 2027 NFL Draft pick Dylan Stewart.
- Offensive line faces a critical test: The Gamecocks ranked 116th nationally in PFF grade up front last season after LaNorris Sellers was sacked 40 times.
- LaNorris Sellers brings elite physical tools: Sellers has forced 88 missed tackles since the start of 2024, the most among Power Four quarterbacks.
The 2025 season was a disappointing one for South Carolina, as the Gamecocks finished just 4-8 despite climbing as high as No. 10 in the AP poll. The offense completely fell apart around quarterback LaNorris Sellers, ranking outside the top 100 nationally in PFF team rushing, receiving, pass-blocking and run-blocking grades.
Former TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles takes over the unit in 2026 and will be tasked with turning things around. If he can’t, head coach Shane Beamer could find himself on the hot seat.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- OT Jacarrius Peak (NC State)
- OG Hank Purvis (Purdue)
- C Carter Miller (UCF)
- OG Emmanuel Kojo Poku (East Carolina)
- OT Dayne Arnett (Ferris State)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- OT Tree Babalade (Nebraska)
- WR Vandrevius Jacobs (Miami)
- OG Nick Sharpe (Michigan State)
- C Boaz Stanley (Purdue)
- OG Trovon Baugh (Texas A&M)
Biggest strength: Defensive line
South Carolina enters 2026 with our No. 9 defensive line in college football, led by edge defender Dylan Stewart. Our No. 3 edge rusher in the country, Stewart is also a projected top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The Gamecocks also have stout run defenders on the interior in Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and Illinois transfer Tomiwa Durojaye.
Biggest question mark: Will the revamped offensive line hold up better than previous iterations?
South Carolina’s offensive line has been a major problem for several years. LaNorris Sellers was sacked 40 times last season, the most of any quarterback in the Power Four. At least six players took snaps at each guard and tackle spot, while three different players saw time at center. That lack of continuity contributed to the unit ranking 116th nationally in PFF grade.
The hope is that transfers such as tackle Jacarrius Peak (NC State), center Carter Miller (UCF) and guard Hank Purvis (Purdue) can finally give Sellers and the rest of the offense the protection and space needed to succeed.
Quarterback: LaNorris Sellers
Sellers may be the toolsiest quarterback in the country. He possesses arguably the nation’s strongest arm, while his nearly 240-pound frame and blazing speed make him one of the most difficult players in college football to tackle. His 88 forced missed tackles are the most by any Power Four quarterback since the start of 2024.
However, because of a lackluster supporting cast, Sellers tends to hold the ball too long and take unnecessary sacks. His accuracy also declined as last season progressed. The hope is that improved offensive line play will help Sellers better capitalize on his immense physical talent in 2026.
Offensive Player Spotlight: OT Jacarrius Peak
Peak could be the X-factor for South Carolina this season. The NC State transfer is a top-15 offensive tackle in the country after earning an 84.1 PFF pass-blocking grade last season, which ranked 11th among all tackles nationally.
However, Peak suffered a knee injury in February during a basketball tournament involving the Gamecocks’ football team. He missed all of spring practice and has yet to be fully cleared this summer, though Shane Beamer expects him to be ready for Week 1. Given South Carolina’s significant pass-protection issues over the past three seasons, having Peak healthy will be critical.
Defensive Player Spotlight: EDGE Dylan Stewart
Stewart is arguably the most physically talented edge rusher in the country. His explosive athleticism and freakish bend make him a threat on any given play. His 70.3 PFF pass-rush grade last season represented a considerable drop-off from his terrific freshman campaign, but a late-season back injury was largely to blame.
Stewart did make significant strides against the run, earning a 79.0 PFF run-defense grade that ranked seventh among qualified SEC edge defenders. If he stays healthy, Stewart has the talent to become a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Bottom Line
Beamer likely needs a winning season in 2026 to cool down the hot-seat talk. For that to happen, South Carolina’s struggling offense will need to improve dramatically.
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