2021 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

2021 Southeastern Conference football standings
	East Division
	West Division
	Championship: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
	^ – College Football Playoff participant; $ – Conference champion; x – Division champion/co-champions; As of December 29, 2021; Rankings from CFP Rankings

2021 South Carolina Gamecocks football
2021 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Duke's Mayo Bowl, vs. North Carolina
Conference	Southeastern Conference
	East Division
2021 record	6–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach	Shane Beamer (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Marcus Satterfield (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Clayton White (1st season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Williams–Brice Stadium; (Capacity: 77,559)
Uniform
	Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

The 2021 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marks the Gamecocks' 128th overall season, and 30th as a member of the SEC East Division. The Gamecocks play their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, and are led by first-year head coach Shane Beamer.

Background[]

Previous season[]

After opening season losses to Tennessee and Florida, the Gamecocks defeated No. 15 Auburn for the first time since 1933. The win over the Tigers would be the highlight of the season, as the Gamecocks would lose out, with losses to LSU (24–52) and Texas A&M (3–48). After giving up 59 points to Ole Miss, Will Muschamp was terminated. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo finished the season as interim head coach; he would lose the remaining final 3 games by a combined score of 44–103. It was the Gamecocks' worst season since 1999.

New Head coach announced[]

On December 6, 2020, Oklahoma assistant head coach Shane Beamer was announced as the Gamecocks 36th head coach. A former Gamecock assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under Steve Spurrier from 2007 to 2010, he is also the son of long time Virginia Tech Head coach Frank Beamer. Beamer was born in Charleston, South Carolina, after graduating from Virginia Tech, he was a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech, and Tennessee, before becoming an assistant coach at Mississippi State. Beamers other stops as an assistant included Virginia Tech and Georgia. Notable recruits signed during Beamer's time as recruiting coordinator at South Carolina included Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore, and D. J. Swearinger.^[1]

Beamer cleaned out the staff from the Muschamp era, hiring Marcus Satterfield from the Carolina Panthers as Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Clayton White from NC State as Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, and a slew of other hires including Pete Lembo as Associate head coach/special teams coordinator and Hammond coach and former Gamecock QB Erik Kimrey as Tight ends coach. Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray was hired away from Florida, and Wide receivers coach Justin Stepp was hired away from Arkansas.

Preseason[]

Offseason departures[]

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Note
Jaycee Horn	#1	CB	6'1	205	Junior	Alpharetta, Georgia	Declared for NFL Draft
Ernest Jones	#53	LB	6'2	230	Junior	Waycross, Georgia	Declared for NFL Draft
Shi Smith	#13	WR	5'10	190	Senior	Union, South Carolina	Declared for NFL Draft
Israel Mukuamu	#24	CB	6'4	205	Junior	Bossier City, Louisiana	Declared for NFL Draft
Ryan Hilinski	#3	QB	6'3	225	Sophomore	Orange, California	Transferred
Jay Urich	#10	QB	6'5	215	RS Junior	Greenville, South Carolina	Graduated
Collin Hill	#15	QB	6'4	222	Graduate	Moore, South Carolina	Graduated
Deshaun Fenwick	#14	RB	6'1	220	RS Sophomore	Bradenton, Florida	Transferred
Slade Carroll	#33	RB	5'9	205	RS Senior	Lexington, South Carolina	Graduated
Adam Prentice	#46	FB	6'0	245	Graduate	Fresno, California	Graduated
Christian Kinsley	#36	P	6'2	220	RS Senior	Lexington, South Carolina	Graduated
KeShawn Toney	#82	TE	6'2	248	RS Freshman	Williston, South Carolina	Transferred
Will Register	#88	TE	6'4	245	RS Junior	Chapin, South Carolina	Graduated
Sadarius Hutcherson	#50	OL	6'4	320	RS Senior	Huntingdon, Tennessee	Graduated
Keir Thomas	#5	DL	6'2	275	RS Senior	Miami, Florida	Transferred
Chandler Farrell	#31	TE	6'3	278	RS Senior	Summerville, South Carolina	Graduated
Jammie Robinson	#7	DB	5'11	195	Sophomore	Leesburg, Georgia	Transferred
Shilo Sanders	#21	DB	6'0	195	RS Freshman	Cedar Hill, Texas	Transferred
John Dixon	#22	DB	6'0	185	Sophomore	Tampa, Florida	Transferred

Personnel[]

Coaching staff[]

Name	Position	Consecutive season
Shane Beamer	Head coach	1st
Marcus Satterfield	Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach	1st
Clayton White	Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach	1st
Pete Lembo	Associate head coach/special teams coordinator	1st
Torrian Gray	Defensive backs coach	1st
Montario Hardesty	Running backs coach	1st
Greg Adkins	Offensive line coach	1st
Justin Stepp	Wide receivers coach	1st
Erik Kimrey	Tight ends coach	1st
Mike Peterson	Outside linebackers coach	5th
Jimmy Lindsey	Defensive line coach	1st

Notable support staff[]

Name	Position	Consecutive season
Luke Day	Head strength and conditioning coach	1st
Connor Shaw	Director of football relations	1st (2nd overall)
Derrick Moore	Executive director of character and player development	1st

^[2]

Roster[]

2021 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Roster

Quarterback

4 Luke Doty - Sophomore (6'1, 210)
8 Zeb Noland - Graduate (6'2, 232)
10 Colton Gauthier - Freshman (6'3, 217)
14 Connor Jordan - Sophomore (6'4, 208)
15 Jason Brown - Senior (6'3, 229)
28 Jake Helfrich - Freshman (6'0, 190)

Running Back

1 MarShawn Lloyd - Freshman (5'9, 215)
11 Zaquandre White - Senior (6'1, 215)
20 Kevin Harris - Sophomore (5'10, 220)
21 JuJu McDowell - Freshman (5'9, 177)
22 Bruce Staley - Freshman (5'9, 210)
23 Rashad Amos - Freshman (6'2, 224)
26 Nathan Harris-Waynick - Freshman (5'10, 210)
32 Bradley Dunn - Freshman (5'9, 210)

Wide Receiver

3 Jalen Brooks - Senior (6'2, 202)
5 Dakereon Joyner - Junior (6'1, 207)
6 Josh Vann - Senior (5'11, 190)
7 Ahmarean Brown - Junior (5'9, 165)
8 Randrecous Davis - Senior (5'10, 197)
13 EJ Jenkins - Senior (6'7, 243)
16 Trey Adkins - Junior (5'11, 182)
17 Xavier Legette - Junior (6'1, 217)
18 OrTre Smith - Senior (6'4, 227)
19 Ben Rollins - Freshman (5'9, 163)
24 Eriq Rice - Freshman (6'1, 187)
31 O'Mega Blake - Freshman (6'3, 182)
33 Sam Reynolds - Freshman (5'8, 185)
48 James Bartholomew - Senior (5'9, 180)
81 Aaron Morton - Freshman (5'8, 175)
84 Rico Powers - Sophomore (6'2, 187)
85 Payton Mangrum - Freshman (6'0, 195)
86 Chad Terrell - Senior (6'3, 222)
89 Ger-Cari Caldwell - Sophomore (6'5, 200)

Placekicker

43 Parker White - Senior (6'5, 205)
45 Alex Herrera - Sophomore (6'0, 187)
47 Cole Hanna - Junior (5'8, 183)
98 Mitch Jeter - Sophomore (5'11, 190)

Punter

39 Kai Kroeger - Sophomore (6'4, 195)
40 William Joyce - Freshman (6'3, 220)

Tight End

0 Jaheim Bell - Sophomore (6'3, 230)
9 Nick Muse - Fifth Year (6'5, 249)
12 Traveon Kenion - Sophomore (6'4, 245)
49 Dave Adams - Freshman (6'2, 230)
80 Keveon Mullins - Sophomore (6'3, 234)
82 Eric Shaw - Sophomore (6'5, 212)
87 Patrick Reedy - Junior (6'7, 260)
88 Jesse Sanders - Freshman (6'3, 242)

Offensive Lineman

52 Jaylen Nichols - Junior (6'5, 327)
53 Vershon Lee Sophomore (6'4, 307)
54 Jovaugn Gwyn - Junior (6'3, 300)
55 Jakai Moore - Sophomore (6'6, 312)
58 Mark Fox - Sophomore (6'4, 305)
60 Jordan Davis - Freshman (6'5, 302)
61 Collin Heinrich - Freshman (6'3, 305)
62 Tyshon Wannamaker - Freshman (6'4, 314)
64 JonDarius Morgan - Freshman (6'3, 320)
65 Chuck Strickland - Freshman (6'2, 267)
68 Wyatt Campbell - Junior (6'6, 305)
70 Hank Manos - Junior (6'4, 300)
71 Eric Douglas - Senior (6'4, 308)
72 Trai Jones - Freshman (6'3, 305)
74 Vincent Murphy - Sophomore (6'2, 312)
75 Jazton Turnetine - Senior (6'7, 342)
79 Dylan Wonnum - Senior (6'5, 308)

Defensive Lineman

5 Rick Sandidge - Senior (6'5, 302)
6 Zacch Pickens - Junior (6'4, 305)
11 Keem Green - Senior (6'4, 312)
57 Will Rogers - Sophomore (6'4, 300)
90 T.J. Sanders - Freshman (6'5, 300)
91 Tonka Hemingway - Sophomore (6'3, 300)
93 Nick Barrett - Freshman (6'3, 312)
94 M.J. Webb - Senior (6'3, 310)
95 Alex Huntley - Freshman (6'4, 305)
97 Devontae Davis - Senior (6'4, 300)
99 Jabari Ellis - Senior (6'3, 278)

EDGE

1 Kingsley Enagbare - Senior (6'4, 265)
3 Jordan Burch - Sophomore (6'6, 268)
7 Jordan Strachan - Senior (6'5, 250)
13 Gilber Edmond - Freshman (6'5, 250)
15 Aaron Sterling - Fifth Year (6'2, 250)
16 Hot Rod Fitten - Sophomore (6'2, 251)
92 Tyreek Johnson - Sophomore (6'4, 270)

Linebacker

0 Debo Williams - Freshman (6'1, 235)
19 Brad Johnson - Senior (6'3, 240)
30 Damani Staley - Fifth Year (6'1, 240)
31 Bam Martin-Scott - Junior (6'2, 230)
32 Mohamed Kaba - Sophomore (6'2, 235)
33 Kolbe Fields - Freshman (6'1, 225)
35 K.J. Scott - Freshman (6'1, 220)
40 Ronnie Porter - Freshman (6'1, 250)
41 Darryle Ware - Freshman (6'1, 217)
42 Rosendo Louis Jr. - Junior (6'2, 240)
44 Sherrod Greene - Senior (6'1, 230)
45 Spencer Eason-Riddle - Senior (6'0, 230)
48 Sean McGonigal - Junior (6'2, 240)

Defensive Back

4 Jaylin Dickerson - Junior (6'1, 197)
8 Jahmar Brown - Sophomore (6'1, 208)
9 Cam Smith - Sophomore (6'1, 187)
10 R.J. Roderick - Senior (6'0, 207)
12 Jaylan Foster - Senior (5'10, 195)
14 Joey Hunter - Sophomore (6'1, 200)
17 La'Dareyen Craig - Freshman (6'1, 172)
18 Dominick Hill - Sophomore (6'2, 200)
20 Tyrese Ross - Junior (6'0, 200)
21 Carlins Platel - Graduate (6'1, 205)
24 Marcellas Dial - Sophomore (6'0, 190)
25 O'Donnell Fortune - Freshman (6'1, 180)
26 Landon Grier - Freshman (5'9, 170)
27 Isaiah Norris - Junior (6'0, 170)
28 Darius Rush - Junior (6'2, 195)
29 David Spaulding - Sophomore (6'1, 195)
34 Cam Hardy - Freshman (6'1, 190)
36 B.J. Gipson - Sophomore (6'4, 209)
43 Joseph Byrnes - Freshman (6'0, 183)
47 King-Demenian Ford - Freshman (6'2, 207)

Long Snappers

36 Hunter Rogers - Sophomore (6'1, 197)
46 Cole Rasmussen - Sophomore (5'11, 210)
59 Matthew Bailey - Freshman (6'2, 210)

: 2021 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Roster 08/29/21^[3]

Schedule[]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	7:00 p.m.	Eastern Illinois*	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	ESPN+/SECN+	W 46–0	64,868
September 11	12:00 p.m.	at East Carolina*	Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC	ESPN2	W 20–17	40,816
September 18	7:00 p.m.	at No. 2 Georgia	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry)	ESPN	L 13–40	92,746
September 25	7:00 p.m.	Kentucky	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (SEC Nation)	ESPN2	L 10–16	77,559
October 2	3:30 p.m.	Troy*	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	SECN	W 23–14	60,686
October 9	12:00 p.m.	at Tennessee	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	ESPN2	L 20–45	89,437
October 16	4:00 p.m.	Vanderbilt	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	SECN	W 21–20	64,695
October 23	7:30 p.m.	at No. 17 Texas A&M	Kyle Field College Station, TX	SECN	L 14–44	103,889
November 6	7:30 p.m.	Florida	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	SECN	W 40–17	70,131
November 13	4:00 p.m.	at Missouri	Faurot Field Columbia, MO	SECN	L 28–31	44,092
November 20	7:00 p.m.	Auburn	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	ESPN	W 21–17	70,299
November 27	7:30 p.m.	No. 23 Clemson*	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry)	SECN	L 0–30	79,897
December 30	11:30 a.m.	vs. North Carolina*	Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC (Duke’s Mayo Bowl)	ESPN
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[4]

References[]

^ "Beamer named head football coach at South Carolina". Retrieved August 29, 2021.
^ "2021 Football Coaching staff". Retrieved February 9, 2021.
^ "2021 Football Roster". Retrieved August 29, 2021.
^ "2021 South Carolina Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.

[1] "Beamer named head football coach at South Carolina". Retrieved August 29, 2021.

[2] "2021 Football Coaching staff". Retrieved February 9, 2021.

[3] "2021 Football Roster". Retrieved August 29, 2021.

[4] "2021 South Carolina Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.

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[2]

[3]

[4]

v t South Carolina Gamecocks football
Venues	Old State Fairgrounds (1894, 1896–1898) Shandon Park (1895) College Park/Davis Field (1899–1925) Melton Field (1926–1934) Williams–Brice Stadium (1934–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Clemson Georgia North Carolina
Culture & lore	Spurrier Cocky "The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way" Mighty Sound of the Southeast "Sandstorm" The Brawl
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders NFL draftees
Seasons	1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

2021 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t	Conf				Overall
Team		W		L		W		L
East Division
No. 3 Georgia x^		8	–	0		12	–	1
No. 22 Kentucky		5	–	3		9	–	3
Tennessee		4	–	4		7	–	5
Missouri		3	–	5		6	–	7
South Carolina		3	–	5		6	–	6
Florida		2	–	6		6	–	7
Vanderbilt		0	–	8		2	–	10
West Division
No. 1 Alabama x$^		7	–	1		12	–	1
No. 8 Ole Miss		6	–	2		10	–	2
No. 21 Arkansas		4	–	4		8	–	4
Mississippi State		4	–	4		7	–	6
No. 25 Texas A&M		4	–	4		8	–	4
Auburn		3	–	5		6	–	7
LSU		3	–	5		6	–	6
Championship: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions As of December 29, 2021; Rankings from CFP Rankings