Spring Games on the Brink? Shane Beamer Refuses to Follow the Trend
College football is changing fast. Amateurism? Gone. Four-year commitments? A thing of the past. Walk-ons? Almost extinct. Now, another tradition is on the chopping block—spring games.
A growing list of powerhouse programs, including Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, Florida State, and Nebraska, have scrapped their annual spring games. Their reason? Fear of roster poaching—the concern that other teams will scout young players and lure them into the transfer portal.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian insists it’s about player health and development rather than recruitment fears. “Our approach is going to be a little more NFL-driven, kind of more of an OTA style early on,” Sarkisian said on the Up and Adams Show.
Beamer Stands His Ground: “We Are Absolutely Having a Spring Game”
Unlike the schools ditching the tradition, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer refuses to back down.
“Yes, we are absolutely going ahead with a spring game,” Beamer declared in a press conference. The Garnet & Black Game is set for Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Beamer doesn’t buy into the fear that spring games increase poaching. “They know the guys we have on our roster,” he said. “Whether there’s a spring game or five closed scrimmages, other teams will still try to snag someone.”
As for injury concerns, Beamer acknowledges the risks but doesn’t see how canceling a spring game changes anything. “There’s injury risk in everything,” he pointed out. Even Jaylen Nichols’ ACL tear in the 2023 spring game wasn’t enough to make him reconsider.
Why Beamer Believes the Positives Outweigh the Negatives
- It’s for the Fans – South Carolina reported 32,500 fans at last year’s spring game. “Some of these schools canceling their spring games don’t even draw 1,000 people,” Beamer said. Gamecock fans show up, and he refuses to take that away from them.
- Prepping Players for Big Crowds – Many freshmen and transfers have never played in front of thousands of fans. “For a lot of guys, it’s the biggest crowd they’ve ever played in front of in their life,” Beamer said. Better to get that experience now than for the first time in a 70,000-seat stadium against Virginia Tech.
- A Recruiting Weapon – The Gamecocks are using the spring game as a showcase for recruits. Holding it on a Friday night ensures it’s the only major event happening, making it a prime stage for prospects. “It will be a great recruiting experience,” Beamer said.
Beamer’s Final Word: Williams-Brice Isn’t Just Any Stadium
“A spring game in Williams-Brice is different than a spring game in some places I’ve watched on television before,” Beamer said with a smirk.
While other programs retreat, South Carolina is embracing tradition—and using it to their advantage.
