Former South Carolina star defensive back and longtime NFL standout Stephon Gilmore is officially adding another milestone to his résumé this week — earning his college degree alongside fellow Gamecocks.
Gilmore is one of 31 current and former University of South Carolina student-athletes set to graduate, as USC Columbia prepares to award 2,194 total degrees across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Among those walking across the stage Monday are 16 current South Carolina football players, including Oscar Adaway III, Ryan Brubaker, Bradley Dunn, Nathan Harris-Waynick, Brady Hunt, William Joyce, Jalon Kilgore, Buddy Mack III, Shawn Murphy, Rodney Newsom Jr., Myles Norwood, DQ Smith, Bryan Thomas Jr., Mac Walters, Peyton Williams and George Wilson Jr.
Gilmore’s journey back to graduation caps a decorated football career that began the moment he stepped on campus. The former South Pointe High School standout earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 and quickly became a cornerstone of South Carolina’s defense.
Wearing No. 5, Gilmore followed that debut with AP All-American recognition in 2010 after recording three interceptions and a team-high 79 tackles on an SEC East Championship-winning defense. He added more All-American honors in 2011, collecting four interceptions during his final collegiate season.
Over three years in garnet and black, Gilmore totaled eight interceptions, 181 tackles, seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
After leaving South Carolina, Gilmore was selected 10th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL Draft. He earned a Pro Bowl nod before eventually moving on to the New England Patriots, where his career reached even greater heights.
With New England, Gilmore won a Super Bowl, earned three additional Pro Bowl selections and claimed the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. His iconic pass breakup in the 2017–18 AFC Championship Game sealed a Super Bowl trip for the Patriots and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive plays in NFL postseason history.
Gilmore spent 13 seasons in the NFL before retiring, and now completes his academic journey by earning a degree in Liberal Studies.
Below is the full list of student-athletes graduating Monday across South Carolina’s athletic programs:
Baseball:
Cody Morris (Services Management)
Beach Volleyball:
Juju Quintero (Accounting)
Football:
Oscar Adaway III (Coaching Education Master’s)
Ryan Brubaker (Political Science)
Bradley Dunn (Data and Communication Master’s)
Stephon Gilmore (Liberal Studies)
Nathan Harris-Waynick (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
Brady Hunt (Sport and Entertainment Management Master’s)
William Joyce (Business Administration Master’s)
Jalon Kilgore (Public Health)
Buddy Mack III (Coaching Education Master’s)
Shawn Murphy (Services Management)
Rodney Newsom Jr. (Services Management)
Myles Norwood (Services Management)
DQ Smith (Services Management)
Bryan Thomas Jr. (Public Health)
Mac Walters (Management)
Peyton Williams (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
George Wilson Jr. (Services Management)
Men’s Basketball:
Eli Sparkman (International Business)
Women’s Basketball:
Tessa Johnson (Psychology)
Equestrian:
Mattilyn McNeill (Public Health)
Men’s Soccer:
Ethan Ballek (Finance)
Ted Cargill (Sports Media)
Andrew Goldsworthy (Business Administration Master’s)
Junior Saint Juste (Sport and Entertainment Management)
Women’s Soccer:
Maria Kemp (Exercise Science)
Softball:
Alana Vawter (Business Administration Master’s)
Lexi Winters (Psychology)
Women’s Track & Field:
Aalliyah Francis (Finance)
Volleyball:
Alayna Johnson (Public Health)
