South Carolina will open its 2025 season on Sunday, Aug. 31, when it takes on Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Classic.
Much of the attention leading into the matchup has centered on quarterback LaNorris Sellers and the start of what many hope will be a Heisman Trophy run. But SEC Network analyst Roman Harper believes the real storyline may be how the Gamecocks handle Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones.
“All we’ve heard all offseason (is) how great Sellers is, all the Heisman talk. Well, South Carolina won a lot of games because of its defense last year,” Harper said during the Aug. 14 edition of SEC Now with host Alyssa Lang.
When pressed for a prediction, Harper went against the grain, picking Virginia Tech to pull off the upset.
“This young man, Kyron Drones of Virginia Tech, is a young ball player that’s been in this system two, three years,” Harper explained. “This is a team that believes they can do things.”
Drones transferred to Virginia Tech from Baylor in 2023 and enters his senior season looking to rebound. His 2024 numbers dipped from the year prior — 1,592 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions compared to 17 touchdowns and just three picks as a sophomore.
Harper’s concern for South Carolina fans is that while the Gamecocks’ defense was the backbone of their success last year, Drones has the experience to test them.
In 2024, South Carolina allowed just 204 passing yards per game (11.6 per completion), ranking 44th nationally and eighth in the SEC. The defense also tied for fourth in interceptions and was one of only four programs with two pick-sixes.
Confidence is high in the secondary heading into 2025.
“We’re deep as ever in secondary room. Everybody has confidence; it’s great competition in there,” defensive back Judge Collier said. “We lost Nick (Emmanwori) last year, but we have a lot of guys that came in. So I feel like we’re in a great spot.”
Pass rush was another strength, with South Carolina finishing third in the SEC and tied for sixth nationally in sacks.
Head coach Shane Beamer is counting on a strong fan presence when his team takes the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Obviously, Labor Day weekend, a lot going on, but no better way to spend it than on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, watching us take on a really good Virginia Tech team as well,” Beamer said in July. “So we’ll need all the Gamecock fans in Atlanta that day and encourage people.”
