After a 2025 campaign that represented one of the program’s more jarring single-season collapses in recent memory — from the doorstep of the College Football Playoff to a 4-8 finish — South Carolina football is looking to reestablish itself as a legitimate SEC contender heading into the fall.
The foundation for a bounce-back appears to be in place. The Gamecocks return a significant portion of their top contributors, have retooled the coaching staff, and addressed roster needs through the offseason. Whether that is enough to climb back into the upper half of a crowded league is the central question surrounding Shane Beamer’s program right now.
Long-time SEC reporter Chris Low of On3, among the most knowledgeable voices on the conference, released his summer power rankings Monday and placed South Carolina 10th in the league — squarely in the middle of the pack, reflecting both the program’s legitimate ceiling and the uncertainty that still surrounds it.
Low’s assessment acknowledged the talent present while pointing to several areas that will likely determine how far the Gamecocks can actually go:
“The Gamecocks were as hot as anybody to close the 2024 season, but could never recapture that magic a year ago. The core is there to bounce back this season, starting with quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart. It will be interesting to see if the 6-3, 240-pound Sellers runs more in 2026, and Kendal Briles’ arrival as offensive coordinator should help Sellers. Either way, the Gamecocks need to protect better on the offensive line and find some semblance of a running game. They’re hopeful of getting back transfer offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (N.C. State) sooner as opposed to later after he injured his knee playing basketball in the offseason. Nyck Harbor is one of the more explosive receivers in the country. The defense should again be solid with four of the top six tacklers returning.”
The picture Low paints is one of genuine variance — a team that could push toward the top half of the SEC with health and development at key positions, or one that stalls again if the offensive line and ground game issues that plagued the 2025 season carry over.
Sellers remains the most important variable. His arm talent and physical tools are well established, and the arrival of Briles — whose spread-based, tempo-driven schemes have historically elevated quarterbacks — could unlock a dimension of his game that has remained underutilized. Peak’s availability will be critical; the offensive line was a primary reason the 2025 season unraveled, and adding a veteran transfer tackle sooner rather than later changes the calculus considerably.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive continuity is a legitimate asset. Returning four of the team’s top six tacklers gives coordinator and staff a reliable foundation to build around, and Stewart’s development as a pass rusher gives the unit a genuine headliner.
Low’s Full SEC Summer Power Rankings:
Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arkansas.
Bottom Line
Tenth in the SEC is not where South Carolina wants to be, but it is an honest reflection of where the program stands after a difficult year. The pieces for a significant jump are there — a dynamic quarterback, an explosive receiver, a returning defensive core, and a new offensive mind with a track record of results. The margin for error in this league is thin, but the Gamecocks have enough to make Low’s ranking look conservative if things break right.
