“I Enjoy Mauling Guys” – South Carolina’s New Offensive Lineman Nick Sharpe Brings Brutal Mentality to Gamecocks’ Trenches
This week, South Carolina’s newest football additions made their first official media appearances. In total, 13 transfer portal players—all committed and enrolled for the 2025 cycle—introduced themselves to the Gamecock faithful. Among them, one man stole the show with his words and his presence: Nick Sharpe, the bruising offensive lineman from Wake Forest.
Standing 6-foot-2, 340 pounds, Sharpe arrived in Columbia with one clear message. In a candid moment with 107.5 The Game, he delivered a quote that perfectly embodies his style of play:
“I enjoy mauling guys.”
Four simple words. But for an offensive lineman, they mean everything. Sharpe thrives on physicality, a trait that aligns perfectly with Gamecocks offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley’s philosophy. After a disastrous 2023 season where South Carolina averaged just 85 rushing yards per game, Teasley prioritized toughness and dominant run blocking in 2024—a shift that resulted in a 99-yard per game improvement on the ground.
Sharpe’s mindset is exactly what South Carolina needs. He doubled down on his brutal approach, following up his first quote with another that will have offensive line coaches and Gamecock fans buzzing:
“I enjoy knocking guys off the ball… getting pancakes.
Rebuilding the Trenches for 2025
South Carolina’s offensive line struggled with injuries and inconsistency in recent years, but the 2025 squad is shaping up to be a force. The Gamecocks return starting tackles Josiah Thompson and Cason Henry, while former starter Tree Babalade will also be in the mix. On the interior, Sharpe joins a deep group of talented linemen, including Trovon Baugh, Markee Anderson, Boaz Stanley, and RJ Newsom—all of whom he personally shouted out as offseason standouts.
What’s Next for Sharpe and the Gamecocks?
With spring practice set to begin in less than two weeks, Sharpe and the rest of the South Carolina squad are gearing up for the Garnet and Black Spring Game on April 18. The real test, however, comes on August 31, when the Gamecocks open the 2025 season against Virginia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
If Sharpe and his fellow linemen can bring their mauling, pancake-loving mentality to the field, South Carolina’s offense might just be one of the most dangerous units in the SEC this fall.
