With five days until South Carolina football kicks off 2025 season, a look back at No. 5, Stephon Gilmore

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 five days away.

When looking back at the jersey numbers most associated with success at South Carolina, the No. 5 is part of the conversation. Players like Kyle Kennard, Stephen Garcia, Rocket Sanders, and Darius English all picked up some form of All-SEC honor during their careers in Columbia (Kennard was even the Nagurski Trophy winner).

However, the No. 5 brings to mind another Gamecock star: cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Join GamecockCentral now for $1 your first week and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic – included with your membership.

Gilmore, considered a five-star prospect by some recruiting outlets, played at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. The state’s 2008 Mr. Football elected to stay home to play at South Carolina, helping start a trend that saw the best players in the Palmetto State become Gamecocks.

Gilmore spent three years in Columbia and was a three-year starter. He was a sticky cover man, a smart zone player, and a hard-nosed tackler. He also moonlighted as a returner on special teams and as a wildcat quarterback on offense.

As a true freshman, Gilmore started in his first game. Not only that, but the first-year Gamecock helped save the game with a fourth-quarter pass breakup in a 7-3 victory. He finished the regular season with a strong game against Clemson that included contributions in all three phases.

No. 5 backed up his Freshman All-American effort with AP All-American honors in 2010. Gilmore was really good on a talented SEC East Championship-winning defense. He logged three interceptions and a team-leading 79 tackles.

He picked up All-American distinctions from other outlets in 2011, as he registered another four interceptions. A corner blitz call on the first series against Clemson that season set the tone when Gilmore blew up Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd.

For his career, Gilmore totaled eight interceptions, 181 tackles, seven sacks, and 15 tackles for loss.

Get USC Gamecocks app notifications

Following his three years with the Gamecocks, the Buffalo Bills picked Stephon Gilmore 10th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. He made a Pro Bowl before moving over to the New England Patriots, where he also won a Super Bowl.

Playing with the Patriots, Gilmore earned three more Pro Bowl nods and the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. His pass breakup in the 2017-2018 AFC Championship Game sent New England to the Super Bowl and is regarded as one of the top breakups in league history.

Gilmore has played 13 years in the NFL and has drawn some interest for playing year 14. Whenever his career ends, he could find himself becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer five years later. Gilmore is in position to become the second Gamecock to earn enshrinement, joining wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!