Gamecocks Ready for Spotlight as Shane Beamer, Key Players Headline Day 1 of SEC Media Days
The countdown to college football’s return is heating up, and it officially kicks off with SEC Media Days next week. The annual four-day event begins on Monday, July 14, and South Carolina will help open the festivities alongside LSU, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt.
Head coach Shane Beamer will represent the Gamecocks on Day 1 in Atlanta, accompanied by three standout players: quarterback LaNorris Sellers, defensive tackle Nick Barrett, and defensive back DQ Smith.
LaNorris Sellers: Spotlight on the Heisman Hopeful
After a breakout 2024 campaign, LaNorris Sellers returns as South Carolina’s signal-caller and a rising star in the SEC. Sellers threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Now a redshirt sophomore, he enters 2025 as a dark horse Heisman Trophy contender and a crucial piece in Beamer’s offensive game plan.
Nick Barrett: Veteran Leadership Up Front
Defensive tackle Nick Barrett, a 6-foot-3, 322-pound redshirt senior, brings experience and size to the defensive line. A member of Beamer’s original 2021 recruiting class, Barrett has appeared in 25 games, totaling 30 career tackles. After redshirting last season due to limited appearances, he’ll look to anchor the Gamecocks’ defensive interior.
DQ Smith: The Heart of the Secondary
DQ Smith enters his fourth season as a starter in South Carolina’s secondary. The Columbia native has played in 37 games, starting 34, and has amassed 164 tackles, four interceptions, and a reputation as one of the SEC’s most dependable defensive backs. Smith’s leadership will be vital as the Gamecocks aim to improve their pass defense in 2025.
Full 2025 SEC Media Days Schedule:
Monday, July 14
- LSU — Brian Kelly
- Ole Miss — Lane Kiffin
- South Carolina — Shane Beamer
- Vanderbilt — Clark Lea
Tuesday, July 15
- Auburn — Hugh Freeze
- Georgia — Kirby Smart
- Tennessee — Josh Heupel
- Texas — Steve Sarkisian
Wednesday, July 16
- Alabama — Kalen DeBoer
- Florida — Billy Napier
- Mississippi State — Jeff Lebby
- Oklahoma — Brent Venables
Thursday, July 17
- Arkansas — Sam Pittman
- Kentucky — Mark Stoops
- Missouri — Eliah Drinkwitz
- Texas A&M — Mike Elko
With Beamer leading the charge and young talent like Sellers stepping into national relevance, South Carolina heads into SEC Media Days full of momentum and high expectations.
