South Carolina reloads around LaNorris Sellers as Beamer faces Year 6 test
Shane Beamer says South Carolina still expects to chase championships after a 4-8 season and a busy offseason of staff and roster changes.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
4 min read
South Carolina is heading into Shane Beamer’s sixth season with a new offensive boss, a rebuilt line and a quarterback the program is counting on to drive a turnaround after last year’s 4-8 stumble.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford described 2026 as a potential defining year for Beamer in Columbia, with the Gamecocks trying to move from offseason promise to SEC contention after what Crawford called major changes to personnel and scheme.
Beamer addressed the raised stakes Tuesday at SEC Media Days, saying South Carolina’s ambition has not changed despite last season’s record.
“I don't think any coach in any sport in the world has ever gone into the season not thinking they were going to have a good team and not have an opportunity to win every game,” Beamer said, according to CBS Sports. “I understand the question. Should I have tempered expectations last season? I don't think so. When you're at a place like South Carolina, that's the goal.”
Beamer added that he has said since 2020 there is “no ceiling” on the program, while acknowledging that the Gamecocks “fell woefully short” last season and that responsibility rests with him.
Briles arrives to run the offense
The biggest staff move is the arrival of Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator, South Carolina’s fourth OC in six years, according to CBS Sports. Beamer is pairing him with quarterback LaNorris Sellers, whose return is central to the program’s hopes.
CBS Sports reported that the Gamecocks also added offensive line coach Randy Clements and running backs coach Stan Drayton as part of the offensive reset.
Beamer said he believes Sellers is “prepared and ready” for the best season of his college career. Sellers, speaking Tuesday, said the new system and new coaches have brought energy to the offense.
“All the new stuff that he's bringing in that we're doing, it's fun,” Sellers said, according to CBS Sports. “New system, new coaches and a lot of excitement.”
CBS Sports noted that Sellers was among the key players South Carolina kept, along with former five-star wide receiver Nyck Harbor and former five-star edge rusher Dylan Stewart.
Fourth-quarter pain still lingers
Beamer pointed to close-game failures as a major theme from last season, saying South Carolina had six losses that were one-score games entering the fourth quarter.
One example cited by CBS Sports came at Texas A&M, where South Carolina led the unbeaten No. 3 Aggies by 27 points at halftime before losing control in the second half.
Sellers said the Gamecocks needed to keep pressing in that game and in similar late-game spots.
“I wouldn't say we took the foot off the gas, but we just need to finish in those situations,” Sellers said, according to CBS Sports. “(There) were a lot of games last year that we didn't finish in the fourth quarter, and that was one of them.”
Transfer haul targets the trenches
South Carolina’s roster repair job leaned heavily on the transfer portal. CBS Sports, citing 247Sports, reported that the Gamecocks signed the nation’s No. 19 portal class.
The additions include offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak from NC State, defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye from Illinois, interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Poku from East Carolina, running back Christian Clark from Texas, nickel Quay’sheed Scott from Kentucky, wide receiver Nitro Tuggle from Purdue, interior lineman Carter Miller from UCF, interior lineman Hank Purvis from Purdue and wide receiver DJ Black from UCF.
CBS Sports reported that several of those transfers are expected starters, while Black had a spot in the two-deep after spring camp and Clark was RB2 after spring practice. Matthew Fuller is expected to be South Carolina’s top running back, with Clark and Penn State transfer Jabree Coleman also joining the backfield.
Beamer said the transfer group includes players with postseason experience.
“We've got seven new transfers that have either won a national championship or participated in the College Football Playoff at their previous schools,” Beamer said, according to CBS Sports. “So they're winners and very mature.”
Peak, South Carolina’s top-rated portal addition in the CBS Sports rundown, had a non-football injury before spring camp. Beamer said Tuesday that the medical staff expects him to be ready for the season.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.