With 38 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2025, a look at No. 38, George Rogers

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 38 days away.

The number 38 immediately brings to mind one Gamecock, as the greatest player in South Carolina football history wore that number on his jersey. Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers wore 38 on his chest and back during his time in Columbia.

Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 for 7 days—lock in this special offer today!

George Rogers was a dominant force on the ground during a running back-dominated era. Back in 1980, he won the nation’s most prestigious award over fellow great running backs like Georgia’s Herschel Walker and Southern Cal’s Marcus Allen, Pittsburgh defensive lineman Hugh Green, and a long list of impressive quarterbacks. That year, “Big George” led the nation in rushing as he rampaged for 1894 yards and 14 touchdowns.

1980 was one of three 1000-yard seasons for Rogers. He is the only Gamecock to reach that threshold more than once. He is the far-and-away career record-holder for yards and trails only the endzone magnet Marcus Lattimore in touchdowns. With over 5200 yards rushing in his career, Rogers leads all other Gamecocks by over 2000 yards–Brandon Bennett is second with 3055. His 1979 and 1980 seasons represent the two highest yards from scrimmage totals in program history. With 27 100-yard performances, Rogers broke the century threshold 16 more times than the next closest South Carolina rusher. 22 of those outputs were consecutive, as he broke through for at least 100 yards in his final 21 games.

Rogers was an impressive physical specimen at the running back position. Listed at 6-2 and 228 pounds, the Gamecock great could run over or around defenders, and he routinely did both. One-on-one tacklers often left plays bruised and disappointed, as Rogers always kept his legs pumping. He was a battering ram in shoulder pads who softened the middle of defenses before showcasing great speed and agility on his beloved toss sweep lay. USC radio color analyst Tommy Suggs once said that “George Sweep Left” and “George Sweep Right” were the two most explosive plays in the South Carolina football playbook.

Get USC Gamecocks app notifications

In addition to his Heisman triumph, No. 38 made a pair of All-American teams. After his days in garnet and black, Rogers earned selection as the first-overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. He had a good career as a professional, leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie in ’81 and in rushing touchdowns in 1986. His All-Pro career ended after seven seasons due to nagging injuries. While he was still playing in the NFL, the University of South Carolina honored Rogers as a USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame inductee in 1987, and, though he didn’t play in the league (the Gamecocks were Independents at the time), the Southeastern Conference recognized him as an SEC Legend in 1994.

Amazingly, all of that almost didn’t happen. Rogers began his freshman season as a fullback who blocked as often as he ran the ball. However, he broke free for a few long runs at practice, and head coach Jim Carlen couldn’t ignore it. Rogers was moved to tailback full-time and was starting at the midway point of that year. The rest is history.

Despite all of the amazing talents to roll through Columbia, George Rogers stands at the top. He has remained around the program since his playing days ended, and fans can see his smiling face outside Williams-Brice Stadium on most gamedays. The road in front of South Carolina’s home venue was named George Rogers Boulevard in his honor. His No. 38 jersey has been rightfully retired.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!