Gerald Kilgore shines in opening stretch of South Carolina 2025 season

Entering the 2025 season, it wouldn’t have shocked anyone if someone told them that by Week 5, a Kilgore would be leading South Carolina in interceptions.

What they may not have expected was for that brother to be Gerald Kilgore. They’d be even more shocked to learn that Kilgore only has two more solo tackles (4) than he does interceptions (2).

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Kilgore’s two interceptions came in back-to-back weeks against Missouri and Kentucky. Against the Wildcats, his interception ended with him in the endzone, extending the Gamecocks’ lead to 11 points.

“I was reading the QB, (the) ball (was) thrown, (it) was going to end up in a big collision, but we always say as a defense, tips and overthrows, we got to get those,” Kilgore said on the play. “That was just my opportunity to get that.  I’m running down the field (and) I had my teammates blocking for me; it was a clear alley. All praise to God. All praise to my teammates, as well.”

Though a worrying flag on Kentucky sat behind him as he entered the endzone, his brother Jalon Kilgore stood in front of him waiting.

“Everybody doesn’t get this opportunity,” Gerald said. “For me and him to be on the field at the same time, that’s the second week in a row. It’s heartwarming for me, it’s real emotional for me.”

Eventually, the flag would be ruled against Kentucky, and the pick-six stood. However, that doesn’t mean it didn’t worry Kilgore in the moment.

“I thought it was over with. I was like, ‘No, no, no, I didn’t need that,'” Kilgore said. “Thank God, though, thank God it wasn’t on us.”

Despite seeing limited playing time, having such a strong start to the season feels great for Kilgore.

“It’s just a testament to my journey, to my story and to where I’m heading as well,” Kilgore said. “Like I said, defensive back room, we’re doing an absolutely great job rotating in, everybody making plays. It’s nobody (that’s) selfish in that room.”

Heading into the 2025 season, defensive coordinator Clayton White was complimentary of the redshirt junior defensive back.

“What I love about Kilgore is that, to me, I always have a lot of respect for football players who put in the work, and you can see the improvement right in front of your eyes,” White said. “I think that’s what I’ve seen from him, just to focus on the day-to-day details.”

Above all, after a long journey to join his brother in Columbia, Kilgore is happy to see his hard work pay off.

“Everything I’ve been through, everything to get to this point, and it’s starting to pay off,” Gerald said. “But, there’s much more to accomplish, and that’s what we’re on the way to.”

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