Shane Beamer admits replacing defensive leaders is his biggest concern for South Carolina

South Carolina’s defense was a major catalyst for its 9-4 record last season, its best since 2017.

The Gamecock defense was one of the best in the SEC in 2024, as it held opponents to just 316.6 yards per game (16th in NCAA) and 18.1 points per game (12th in NCAA). Its shining moment came in its 17-14 win over rival Clemson on November 30, in which it forced three turnovers en route to just its second win in its last 10 games against the Tigers.

Five players from that defense were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, including S Nick Emmanwori (Round 2, Pick 35 to Seattle), DT T.J. Sanders (Round 2, Pick 41 to Buffalo), LB Demetrius Knight (Round 2, Pick 49 to Cincinnati), DE Kyle Kennard (Round 4, Pick 125 to Chargers) and DT Tonka Hemingway (Round 4, Pick 135 to Las Vegas).

“[Defense] is my biggest concern I have right now,” South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer told ESPN’s Greg McElroy on the May 12 edition of the “Always College Football” podcast. “I knew that we were gonna be better in 2024 because of our leadership, particularly on our defense. My biggest concern as we go into 2025 is replacing that leadership. We’ve got certainly capable guys. DQ Smith is a leader on our defense. He’s about to be a four-year starter at safety for us. Jalon Kilgore and Judge Collier are multi-year starters for us now. Nick Barrett‘s a guy who’s a fifth year in our program but now he’s in a position to be the old guy on defense. He’s made of the right stuff.”

Beamer brings up leadership of Smith and Chubb

Beamer continued about the importance of leadership, even bringing up legendary former Georgia Bulldogs as prime examples.

“We’ve got people, but that’s a lot of leadership we’re replacing off of last year’s defense,” Beamer said. “For us, it starts back in January and you can’t force anybody to be somebody that they’re not. I tell people all the time that two of the greatest leaders I was ever around as a coach was back in 2017 when I was an assistant coach at Georgia and we had Roquan Smith and Nick Chubb. They’re two of the greatest leaders and players I’ve ever been around. They weren’t super vocal guys, but what they were about as people, their work ethic, they couldn’t help but earn the respect of their teammates and that’s what we’re trying to do. Just guys handling business so you’re worth following, but then also understanding that we’re gonna go as you go.”

South Carolina has certainly brought back a strong defensive core for this season, led by sophomore EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart. Stewart, who recorded 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a freshman, is currently projected as the No. 2 overall pick in Sports Illustrated’s way-too-early 2027 NFL Mock Draft.

“We certainly have capable guys but you try to put them in as many situations and environments that you can to help facilitate and develop that leadership a little bit quicker,” Beamer said. “Now the summer time’s coming up and it’ll be a critical summer for our guys on offense and defense to really see who can take charge of this team and be the leader’s that we need them to be.”

The Gamecocks open the 2025 season against Virginia Tech on August 31.