South Carolina lineman nominated to watch list for Freshman of the Year honor

On Tuesday, South Carolina football true freshman Shedrick Sarratt, Jr. earned a place on the preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Award. Given annually to the national Freshman of the Year, the award is named for former Alabama and NFL running back Shaun Alexander.

Sarratt, a Gaffney High School product and four-star offensive line prospect, has impressed since enrolling early this winter. He is competing for a starting job at guard ahead of Sunday’s season opener.

Standing at 6-4 and weighing in at 336 pounds, Sarratt is an impressive combination of strength and athleticism for a player of his size. He earned South Carolina’s Offensive Newcomer of the Spring honor this spring.

Sarratt is one of 37 players nominated to the preseason list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

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From the South Carolina Athletics release:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (August 26, 2025) –University of South Carolina offensive lineman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. is one of 37 players named to the eighth annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced today.

Sarratt Jr., a 6-4, 336-pounder from Gaffney, S.C. was named the Gamecocks’ Newcomer of the Spring for the Offense. He is challenging for a starting role at a guard position as the 2025 season begins.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year since 2018 to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and the 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador, and Legend.

Gamecock Edge rusher Dylan Stewart was a finalist in 2024.

Sarratt Jr. and the Gamecocks will open the 2025 season on Sunday, Aug. 31, when they travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in the AFLAC Kickoff Game. Game time is set for 3 pm ET and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

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