Through four games, freshman linebacker Donovan Darden has steadily carved out a role on South Carolina’s special teams. Though he arrived as a highly-touted recruit, his impact has been quiet — until now.
So under-the-radar was his emergence that it took head coach Shane Beamer pointing it out in his weekly press conference for many to notice.
“Nobody asked me why Donovan Darden was out there playing more on special teams,” Beamer said.
Beamer highlighted Darden as an example of how young players can break into the lineup by earning reps on special teams, with the chance to eventually push for spots on the two-deep at their positions. It’s been a theme Beamer has emphasized throughout 2025 — that stars often start by proving themselves in the game’s less glamorous phase.
From Havelock to Columbia
Darden joined the Gamecocks as an early enrollee in January, arriving from Havelock High School (N.C.) as a four-star EDGE prospect. He played in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and even saw time at quarterback in high school.
Though highly rated — finishing as Rivals’ No. 7 prospect in North Carolina — Darden wasn’t widely known when South Carolina first started recruiting him. That underdog-to-breakout trajectory mirrors his early college career, where he has once again risen from relative obscurity to contribute.
Building Through Special Teams
Many of South Carolina’s defensive standouts began their careers on special teams, something coordinator Joe DeCamillis is quick to point out.
“You’re always looking to try to get young guys out there — like we did Fred [Johnson] last year, like we did with [David] Bucey last year,” DeCamillis said. “In my opinion, part of my job is to help those guys develop as players down the road, and the only way you get better is by playing football.”
DeCamillis consistently emphasizes that special teams experience is foundational to growth:
“Everything you do on offense and defense, you’re doing on special teams.”
Darden’s effort in practice has already earned him a permanent spot on the unit, and both coordinators believe his future is bright. Defensive coordinator Clayton White praised his rapid development:
“He is definitely getting better for sure. To me, that’s one of those things where, sometimes, it takes kids longer as freshmen to showcase what they can do. He’s one of those dudes who’s showing it very rapidly right now and we like it.”
Looking Ahead
With a foundation on special teams and the attention of both Beamer and his coordinators, Darden is quietly positioning himself for an expanded role. If his early progress is any indication, the freshman linebacker may soon follow the same path as past Gamecock defenders who started on special teams before becoming household names in Columbia.
