COLUMBIA — head coach confirmed that star transfer offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak suffered a lower-leg injury during a team-organized 3-on-3 basketball tournament, creating an early offseason storyline for a program looking to build momentum heading into 2026.
“We did have an injury last week to . Unfortunate,” Beamer said Feb. 24. “He will miss spring practice. He will not be fully cleared in the summer, but we fully anticipate him being ready to roll when September rolls around.”
While Beamer declined to get into specifics — consistent with his usual policy on injuries — he made it clear the situation is manageable.
“It’s not a catastrophic season-ending injury where it’s all doom and gloom,” he said, classifying it only as a “lower-leg” injury.
Short-Term Setback, Long-Term Outlook
Peak, a transfer from , was viewed as a cornerstone addition to South Carolina’s revamped offensive line for 2026. Rated as the Gamecocks’ highest-ranked transfer in the 2026 cycle by , Peak’s arrival signaled a clear emphasis on rebuilding protection and physicality up front.
From a football standpoint, missing spring practice is significant. Spring reps are crucial for offensive line chemistry, communication and scheme installation — especially for a transfer expected to anchor the unit. However, Beamer’s confidence that Peak will be ready by September tempers concerns about long-term impact.
South Carolina opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 against , and the expectation internally is that Peak will be available when it matters most.
Culture vs. Caution: Beamer Defends the Tournament
The injury also sparked questions about the risks associated with offseason competitions. Beamer has hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for three years, along with other activities such as Wiffle Ball, volleyball and dodgeball. This marks the first injury stemming from the event.
Still, Beamer stood firm on the philosophy behind it.
“I, as the head coach, believe in fostering that team camaraderie,” he said. “I believe that we get a lot out of it. It’s fun what we do as a team, but it’s also really beneficial for us as coaches to be able to watch these guys compete.”
His argument centers on culture. After the 2023 season, Beamer said he asked players what they wanted more of — and the answer was overwhelmingly competitive team activities like the basketball tournament.
The results, he suggested, showed up on the field. South Carolina’s 2024 campaign — a 9-4 finish, the best under Beamer — was, in his view, partly fueled by stronger internal bonds.
He said players attributed much of that success to “the team bonding activities … because (they) were closer as a team.”
Beamer also pushed back against critics who once praised the program’s culture but now question the risks.
People who celebrated videos of past events and applauded a “strong culture,” he said, can’t now be “up on the front porch screaming” about why the team was playing basketball after an injury.
He pointed out that many programs have basketball courts inside their football facilities and implied such activities are common across the sport — not limited to a light game of “H-O-R-S-E.”
“We want to be smart and make sure we have a healthy team when we get to the season but also can’t just put these guys in bubble wrap and hide them in a closet down the hallway and then bring them out on Sept. 5,” Beamer said. “There’s things that have to happen in order for us to be our best as a team on and off the field when we get to the first game.”
The balancing act is clear: manage risk without sacrificing culture. In Beamer’s view, completely eliminating competitive offseason activities could cost more in chemistry than it saves in physical safety.
Beamer Addresses Davonte Miles Dismissal
Beamer also addressed the dismissal of defensive tackle Davonte Miles, who was no longer with the team as of Feb. 12 following an arrest during a traffic stop.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Miles, 22, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana (first offense). Authorities said a firearm was also located and seized during the search.
“Yeah, it was extremely difficult because of how I feel about Davonte as a person and how I care about him, still do,” Beamer said. “There’s also expectations and a standard of what’s expected in this program on and off the field.”
Beamer characterized the decision as a matter of standards and accountability, saying the program’s expectations were not met and that it was best for both sides to move forward separately.
“I care about him, and he may not be a member of this program, but I love him and want him to have a great quality of life on and off the field here moving forward, and want to help him in any way that I can,” Beamer said. “But I’m also responsible to all the other players on this team and the people in this program to do what’s right for the overall program too.”
Bigger Picture for Year 6
Entering Year 6 under Beamer, South Carolina is attempting to build sustained success after last season’s 4-8 finish, while still leaning into the cultural foundation that produced a 9-4 peak in 2024.
Peak’s injury is an early offseason obstacle — but not a derailment. If he returns fully healthy by September, the storyline may ultimately reinforce Beamer’s philosophy: that building a connected, competitive locker room carries calculated risks, but in his eyes, the payoff is worth it.
