With 10 days until South Carolina kicks off 2025 season, a look back at No. 10, Skai Moore

South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in the 2025 season on August 31st when the Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That means kickoff is just 10 days away.

The greatest No. 10 in South Carolina history didn’t play all that long ago. Linebacker Skai Moore has an argument as the best player to ever play in the middle of the Gamecock defense. He gets the nod as the calendar shifts to its final installment of double-digit days.

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Moore was an undersized linebacker prospect from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area who flipped from Rutgers to South Carolina late in the recruiting process despite behind-the-scenes pressure from the local Miami Hurricanes. That decision to commit to the Gamecocks proved to be huge.

Even as a true freshman in 2013, Moore made an impact on an 11-2 squad. He was a Freshman All-American after leading USC in both tackles and interceptions. Then, as a sophomore, he registered another three interceptions as the team’s leading tackler again. That season, he was also the MVP of the Gamecocks’ Independence Bowl win over Miami.

In 2015, Moore exploded for 111 total tackles and four interceptions, both top-four numbers in the SEC. He seemed primed for a huge 2016 but suffered a neck injury that required him to undergo spinal fusion surgery. He missed the entire season, and some thought his career might be over.

Instead, No. 10 returned in 2017 and led Will Muschamp’s best Gamecock defense. Once again, Moore paced Carolina in tackles, and he picked off three more passes, tying him for the program’s career record.

Moore earned postseason accolades during all four of his active seasons. He was a Freshman All-American in 2013 and picked up various All-SEC honors in 2014, 2015, and 2017. He even picked up some All-American consideration from non-major outlets in both 2015 and 2017.

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Moore ranks sixth all-time in South Carolina history in total tackles. He also led the Gamecocks in tackles four times, the only player ever to accomplish that. He and cornerback Sheldon Brown are the only players to lead USC in interceptions three times. Moore is the only USC standout ever to register over 350 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and double-digit interceptions.

Following the 2017 season, Moore spent four years in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. He battled injuries and never quite gained traction with the rotation in Indy.

Moore was a finalist for the 2017 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy. He will be a candidate for the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in the near future.

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