National Experts Weigh In: Is South Carolina Football Entering a New Era Under Shane Beamer?
South Carolina football was front and center during the opening day of SEC Media Days in Atlanta, with head coach Shane Beamer joined by key players LaNorris Sellers (QB), DQ Smith (DB), and Nick Barrett (DL) at the Omni Hotel and College Football Hall of Fame.
Following a 9-4 season in 2024 — the best yet under Beamer — expectations are rising fast in Columbia. So much so that The State asked several prominent national media voices for their thoughts on the trajectory of the program.
Richard Johnson, CBS Sports
Johnson sees South Carolina on the right path, regardless of whether the 2025 record slightly dips.
“Even if they take a step back record-wise… I don’t understand how you could look and say that what Shane Beamer has done isn’t a success and shouldn’t be built on,” he said.
He praised Beamer’s ability to recruit at a high level — no small feat at South Carolina — and cited standout names like Jadeveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram as proof of rare recruiting success in Columbia. Johnson emphasized Beamer’s leadership and resilience amid pressure:
“Last year, being able to put all the noise to the side and getting this team to play at a really, really high level — I think Beamer unquestionably has done a great job.”
Nicole Auerbach, NBC Sports
Auerbach believes 2024 marked a true turning point for the program.
“To end the season with the win over Clemson — which won the ACC and made the playoff — it wasn’t a surprise,” she said. “It was the culmination of where the program was going.”
She stressed that South Carolina is no longer chasing one-off upsets but instead expected to compete week in and week out. That shift in identity, she believes, signals sustained growth:
“Now it’s about stringing them together and getting to the CFP. But I think getting so close shows that they know what it takes to get there.”
Greg McElroy, ESPN
McElroy, a vocal supporter of Beamer, offered a mix of optimism and caution.
“I certainly hope so as a guy that loves Shane… but I also want expectations to be realistic.”
He reminded fans that winning nine games is difficult, especially in today’s ultra-competitive SEC. McElroy admired how the 2024 team thrived under pressure but said 2025 will require a different kind of motivation:
“Last year, they had a bit of a foxhole mentality… This year, they’re gonna have to bring their own juice, because everyone’s telling them how great they are. That’s a hard thing to do.”
Ben Portnoy, Sports Business Journal
Portnoy said that despite a disappointing 2023, Beamer has delivered consistency and progress.
“Shane has clearly raised the floor at South Carolina,” he said. “I really think South Carolina’s positioned to be a player under Shane.”
While Portnoy stopped short of calling South Carolina the next Alabama, he believes the Gamecocks can be reliable contenders:
“If you told me that, more years than not, Shane is going to win somewhere between seven and nine games, I think I totally buy that.”
Alyssa Lang, ESPN
Lang pointed to the emotional rebound from a bowl-less 2023 and how it fueled a breakout season in 2024.
“That was a really bad taste, not only in the mouths of the players and the staff, but the fan base,” she said.
She credited the emergence of LaNorris Sellers and an underrated defense for flipping the narrative, highlighting one key moment in particular:
“The Kentucky game, I would argue, set the tone for the season.”
With national media now acknowledging the shift, it’s clear South Carolina is being taken seriously as a program on the rise. Between strong leadership, rising stars, and a refreshed culture, the Gamecocks are no longer chasing respect — they’re demanding it.
