Shane Beamer provides update on Nick Emmanwori injury, who will step up with him out

South Carolina lost a key player early in Saturday night’s game against North Carolina as safety Nick Emmanwori left with a hamstring injury. Shortly after it was confirmed that Emmanwori would not return to the game, coach Shane Beamer joined the broadcast to provide an update.

Beamer confirmed that the injury is to Emmanwori’s hamstring and noted that Jalon Kilgore has entered the game in his place. Kilgore is a true freshman and will have to step up on the big stage, but Beamer affirmed his confidence in the young player to do so.

“He’s got a hamstring right now,” Beamer said of Emmanwori. “That’s the thing we talked about with our youth in the secondary. We’ve got a true freshman in there right now, but the same thing happened last year in game one. Our starting senior safety got hurt and Nick Emmanwori came in the game and played his butt off. Jalon Kilgore’s a great player. He’ll do a great job.”

Kilgore was a four-star prospect out of Putman County High School in Eatonton, Georgia. He ranked as the No. 278 overall prospect and No. 21 safety in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Emmanwori led South Carolina in tackles this past season with 85 on his way to being named to the All-SEC Freshman team. Although he will be out the remainder of this game, the Gamecocks will hope the injury won’t be one that keeps him out for a significant period of time.

As things currently stand, South Carolina trails the Tar Heels by a score of 10-7 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. With the game still well within reach, Beamer said his team needs to regain its composure following the loss of Emmanwori and limit mistakes.

“We just need to settle down,” he said. “We’re making mistakes. We’re busting some calls. Things like that. Good football team we’re playing. We’ve just got to keep playing well.”

Unfortunately, the Gamecocks were unable to overcome the injury to Emmanwori as they went on to lose the game 31-17. Kilgore filled in nicely in his place to end up leading the team with 12 tackles, but South Carolina later lost receiver Juice Wells to a foot injury.

The Gamecocks will hope to bounce back and get those players back healthy ahead of a Week 2 matchup against Furman.