South Carolina’s Bam Martin-Scott Declares for NFL Draft After NCAA Appeal Stalls
In a significant announcement on Friday, South Carolina linebacker Bam Martin-Scott revealed that he will forgo a potential seventh college season and instead declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite filing an appeal with the backing of South Carolina, Martin-Scott confirmed that the NCAA had not issued a ruling on his eligibility appeal at the time of his announcement.
“I gave it everything I had at South Carolina, and while I hoped for another season, it’s time to take the next step,” Martin-Scott said.
From Certainty to a Gray Area
A month ago, it was all but certain that Martin-Scott’s college career would end after the 2024 season. The sixth-year senior had exhausted his eligibility after playing two seasons at Dodge City Community College before transferring to South Carolina in 2021, which also marked Shane Beamer’s first year as head coach.
However, the situation took a surprising turn after Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia sued the NCAA over its eligibility rules. Pavia argued that his time at junior college should not count toward his Division I eligibility. In December, he won an injunction, prompting the NCAA to create a waiver for players like Pavia to gain an additional season.
But there was a catch: the waiver didn’t apply to Martin-Scott.
Why Martin-Scott Didn’t Qualify
The NCAA’s waiver was limited to student-athletes who would have used their final year of eligibility during the 2024-25 season and were still within their five-year eligibility clock. Unfortunately for Martin-Scott, he began his college football career in 2019, while Pavia’s clock started in 2020. This left Martin-Scott in a frustrating gray area.
South Carolina supported Martin-Scott’s appeal to the NCAA, hoping for a favorable ruling. However, with no decision in hand, the linebacker chose to move forward with his professional aspirations.
Martin-Scott’s Legacy at South Carolina
Martin-Scott, who joined South Carolina in 2021, became a key figure on defense during his time with the Gamecocks. Known for his physicality and leadership, he was instrumental in several of the program’s big wins under Beamer.
While his NCAA eligibility saga ends on a bittersweet note, Martin-Scott’s focus now shifts to the NFL Draft, where he’ll aim to bring his tenacity and playmaking skills to the professional level.
For South Carolina fans, Martin-Scott leaves behind a legacy of resilience and dedication, symbolizing the grit and determination of the Gamecocks under Shane Beamer’s leadership.
