It’s finally here — fall camp has arrived for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and we’re now less than a month away from kicking off the 2025 season against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Gamecocks are gearing up to go 1-0 on August 31st in Atlanta, GA, as they open the year at a neutral-site showdown. Head coach Shane Beamer is already setting the tone for his squad, preaching a relentless mindset: “Come out here with the mentality to get better… there is no ceiling on what we can do as a team. There’s no ceiling.” If that doesn’t get you fired up, what will?
One Gamecock who has embodied that mindset since day one is junior defensive back Jalon Kilgore. After a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024, Kilgore is hungry to elevate his game even further this fall. Last season, he racked up 31 solo tackles, 48 total stops, and led the SEC with five interceptions across 13 games. Through his first two years in Columbia, Kilgore has tallied 77 solo tackles, 124 combined tackles, six interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Simply put, he’s been everywhere.
As the 2025 season approaches, Kilgore is firmly on the radar as a prime candidate for All-SEC First Team honors. He earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team in 2024, but there’s a growing buzz that he’s ready to take that next step. With the Gamecocks holding a 20.3% chance to crash the College Football Playoff, Kilgore’s leadership on defense will be pivotal. Alongside playmakers like DQ Smith and rising star Dylan Stewart, this defensive unit has the potential to carry South Carolina to new heights. With those three anchoring the defense, the ceiling Beamer talks about might just not exist.
Jalon Kilgore’s name deserves to be mentioned far more often in conversations about South Carolina’s defense. His production over the past two seasons demands it. In 2024 alone, Kilgore notched three tackles for loss, bringing his career total to five, while also showcasing his ball-hawking skills with an SEC-best five interceptions. Add in his consistently high tackle numbers, and it’s clear he’s one of the most complete defensive backs in the conference. While the attention surrounding DQ Smith and Dylan Stewart is well-earned, Kilgore belongs in every discussion about the Gamecocks’ defensive leaders.
With the defense serving as the backbone of South Carolina football in recent years, Kilgore is poised to once again be a difference-maker in 2025. Given how opportunistic he was last season, leading the SEC in interceptions, there’s every reason to believe he can replicate — or even surpass — that performance this fall. The Gamecocks will need him at his best, as they face the seventh-toughest schedule in college football, a slate packed with brutal SEC matchups.
Yet, this team has built a reputation for delivering in high-pressure moments, particularly on defense. Time and time again, they’ve answered the call. As South Carolina sets its sights on a potential College Football Playoff berth, Kilgore’s leadership and playmaking ability will be essential. If you’re looking for someone to help anchor this defense alongside Stewart and Smith, Kilgore is that guy. Expect a massive junior campaign from the Eatonton, GA native — one that could propel both himself and the Gamecocks to national prominence.
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