South Carolina newcomer flying under radar on special teams

After four games, freshman linebacker Donovan Darden has grown into a consistent special teams player for South Carolina.

Darden is a player who came in as a highly-touted recruit; however, his name hasn’t been heard much early.

In fact, Darden flew so far under the radar that it took Shane Beamer bringing him up during his Tuesday press conference for the fanbase and media to recognize him.

“Nobody asked me why Donovan Darden was out there playing more on special teams,” Beamer said.

Beamer used Darden as an example of a young guy getting reps on special teams during games as they battle for spots on the two-deep at their positions. The ability to start 2025 on special teams and finish as a starter is something Beamer has emphasized all season.

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Darden is a true freshman on the Gamecock roster who enrolled early in January. He formerly ranked as a four-star EDGE prospect out of Havelock High School in Havelock, N.C. He also played in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Darden also briefly played quarterback in high school.

Darden’s freshman campaign isn’t the first time he’s flown under the radar and come out of nowhere. Darden ranked as one of South Carolina’s top commits from the 2025 recruiting class.

However, when he first popped up on the Gamecocks’ radar, he was an unknown, do-it-all athlete. When the recruiting rankings were finalized, he finished as the seventh-ranked prospect out of North Carolina according to Rivals Industry Rating.

Many stars on the Gamecock defense got their start on special teams. Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis believes it’s important to get players experience when they can.

“You’re always looking to try to get young guys out there — like we did Fred [Johnson] last year, like we did with [David] Bucey last year,” DeCamillis said. “In my opinion, part of my job is to help those guys develop as players down the road, and the only way you get better is by playing football.”

DeCamillis believes that football is a special teams game. Everything you do on offense and defense, you’re doing on special teams.

Darden showcasing his skills in practice is what earned him a spot on the unit, DeCamillis said. Defensive coordinator Clayton White said it could also lead to some time at linebacker.

“He is definitely getting better for sure,” White said. “To me, that’s one of those things where, sometimes, it takes kids longer as freshmen to showcase what they can do. He’s one of those dudes who’s showing it very rapidly right now and we like it.”

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