Beamer Confirms Gamecocks Transfer Duo Out for the Season, Praises OL Ryan Brubaker’s Comeback
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer provided a major injury update this week, officially ruling out transfer edge rushers Jaylen Brown and George Wilson Jr. for the remainder of the 2025 season. The two were expected to make an immediate impact opposite star pass rusher Dylan Stewart, but both went down with injuries before ever playing a down for the Gamecocks.
Brown suffered a knee injury in the spring, while Wilson was hurt during preseason camp. At the time, both injuries appeared long-term, though Beamer stopped short of confirming they were season-ending. Now, with just three regular-season games remaining, the head coach made it official.
“They’re trending the right direction,” Beamer said. “It makes me sad because Jaylen and George were two portal guys we brought in that we knew would bring help to that EDGE room, and they’ve been out the whole season — not to mention Kobe (Sakyi-Prah), too. It breaks my heart when I walk into the training room each day and see those guys rehabbing. But I literally just told Jaylen before I came up, it won’t be long before he’s back out there. But not trending to be ready in these next three weeks.”
While Brown and Wilson’s absences are a tough blow to the defense, Beamer did share a positive development on the offensive side of the ball. Reserve lineman Ryan Brubaker, who missed all of spring practice with a serious injury, has made an unexpected return to practice.
“Ryan Brubaker, now, credit to him,” Beamer said proudly. “He missed all of spring practice and thought his injury might be long, long, long-term, but he’s actually back out there practicing now — and is healthy, which is pretty awesome too. What a testament to Ryan and the warrior that he is. We by no means thought he’d be practicing in November, but he is. That’s a credit to him.”
Brown, a sophomore transfer from Missouri, will have three years of eligibility remaining when he returns in 2026. Wilson, who was expected to play his final collegiate season this year, is working with the staff to secure an extra year of eligibility due to the injury setback.
Beamer expressed disappointment but also optimism for Wilson’s long-term development.
“Disappointing for him to not be ready right now,” Beamer said back in August. “But maybe this is a positive — you didn’t get here until June, and now if you’re not able to get back here in ’25, you have an entire offseason in the weight room to become an even better version of yourself in 2026.”
Despite the setbacks, the Gamecocks remain focused as they prepare for a tough SEC road matchup this Saturday against No. 3 Texas A&M in College Station. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN.
Beamer acknowledged the challenges ahead but praised his team’s resilience and determination heading into the final stretch of the season.
“No one can question the effort of this team,” he said. “We’ve been in every game this season and had chances to win in the fourth quarter. We’ve got a bunch of competitors who are ready to go out there and fight.”
While Brown and Wilson’s losses will sting for the remainder of 2025, Beamer and the Gamecocks are hopeful that both defensive standouts — along with Brubaker’s inspiring return — will play key roles in what’s shaping up to be a promising 2026 campaign.
