South Carolina hosted its spring game on Friday night, where the Gamecocks held an NFL-style draft to divide players into garnet and black teams. Before the game, coach Shane Beamer emphasized that the event wasn’t meant to reflect the current depth chart, though it could offer some insight into future lineups. With that in mind, let’s dive into the details. And for those wondering why LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are missing from this list, keep in mind that several returning starters played fewer reps compared to younger or less-experienced players. That said, here are five players who stood out during South Carolina’s spring game, which saw the garnet team secure a 10-7 victory.
QB Cutter Woods
Looking at the black and garnet rosters, it seemed like the black team was destined for a blowout victory, especially with players like Sellers and QB Air Noland. However, midway through the second quarter, despite Sellers and Noland getting a few drives, the black team had yet to score and couldn’t move the ball. Enter true freshman Cutter Woods, the third-string quarterback for the black team. On his first play, the Westside High alum launched a 51-yard pass that landed perfectly in the hands of Vandrevius Jacobs — a throw reminiscent of Woods’ impressive performances from the state championship game in December. Woods capped off the drive with a 24-yard pass to Brian Rowe Jr. through traffic, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the black team its first points. Woods’ ability to step in and deliver accurate throws with confidence was impressive, but what truly stood out was his arm strength. While some high-school arms struggle at the college level, Woods clearly has a cannon. His quick decision-making and ability to deliver precise throws on time could make him a serious contender for the backup role behind Sellers in 2025.
WR Brian Rowe Jr.
The South Carolina wide receiver room is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing aspects of the team. The Gamecocks brought in six freshman receivers, five of whom arrived in January, and clearly have a lot of faith in their talent — so much so that they didn’t sign a single wide receiver from the transfer portal this winter. Naturally, this has fueled a lot of excitement around these freshmen, and on Friday, they proved they were worth the hype.
WR Brian Rowe Jr.
Malik Clark, a former four-star prospect from Rock Hill High, had some solid moments and even caught a touchdown from Luke Doty just before halftime. However, it was Brian Rowe Jr. who truly stole the spotlight. The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman from Concord, North Carolina, was impressive all night. His route running was crisp, and he consistently attacked the ball. When plays broke down, he made a concerted effort to get open, always managing to find space. On one play in the first quarter, he was 15 yards downfield with no defenders around him. Later, he worked his way toward Sellers and caught a pass, though it was called back due to a penalty. Despite that, Rowe still finished with five catches for 45 yards. Given his performance, it’s reasonable to expect Rowe to be in contention for a starting role when the Gamecocks face Virginia Tech.
Edge Desmond Umeozulu
While the stats may not reflect his impact, Desmond Umeozulu was a constant force on the field, causing disruptions all night. Standing at 6-foot-6, the junior edge rusher is expected to step up following the departure of Kyle Kennard. Umeozulu showcased impressive speed off the line, applying consistent pressure on quarterback LaNorris Sellers, forcing him to either throw the ball away or get tagged by other defenders. One of the final plays of the game saw Umeozulu blow past right tackle Jake Recker and nearly sack quarterback Air Noland. Despite playing in 12 games each of the past two seasons, the Maryland native has only registered 11 career tackles. However, with Kennard gone, Umeozulu, alongside Bryan Thomas Jr., is primed to take on a larger role and could be a key contributor at edge opposite Dylan Stewart.
RB Matthew Fuller
It’s challenging to fully evaluate running backs when they’re running behind an inconsistent offensive line against a defense that might anticipate their moves. That said, redshirt freshman Matthew Fuller impressed during Friday’s game. The 5-11, 220-pound back displayed explosive speed whenever he touched the ball, immediately shifting into high gear. While he didn’t get many carries, he was very active in the passing game, becoming a reliable target when leaking out of the backfield. Additionally, Utah State transfer RB Rahsul Faison also stood out in his limited opportunities, showing impressive balance through contact and the ability to shake off would-be tacklers.
K/P Mason Love
Just days after coach Shane Beamer expressed confidence in Mason Love potentially handling both the kicker and punter roles for South Carolina, Love was indeed the black team’s starter for both positions. As a kicker, he drilled a 36-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. Soon after, Beamer paused the spring game for an impromptu kicking competition, urging the crowd to get excited as his kickers lined up. After William Joyce made his kick and Peyton Argent missed, Love calmly knocked down a 41-yard field goal. While it’s still possible that South Carolina could bring in a transfer kicker, Love has certainly emerged as the frontrunner if they don’t. The same can be said for punting, where Love appears almost certain to start. On Friday, he booted eight punts, averaging nearly 44 yards per attempt.
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