Despite falling just short of a surprise College Football Playoff berth, the 2024 season made it clear that South Carolina is a program on the rise. Under head coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks finished the year with an impressive six-game win streak, including victories over some of the nation’s top teams, ending the regular season with a strong 9-3 record. They emerged as one of the hottest teams in college football.
Andrew Jones
Now, the challenge for Beamer and his staff is to elevate South Carolina from being a competitive threat every weekend to one of the premier teams in the SEC. In today’s college football landscape, that journey often begins in the transfer portal, and the Gamecocks made a significant move on Wednesday. Former Grambling linebacker Andrew Jones committed to South Carolina, adding a key piece to their defense.
Jones had an outstanding 2024 season, establishing himself as one of the most dominant linebackers at any level. He totaled 122 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks, and forced a fumble, earning numerous accolades along the way. At the end of the season, Jones was named co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SWAC and earned SWAC All-American honors.
For South Carolina, Jones provides a much-needed presence in the middle of the defense, which will be crucial in SEC play where teams are known for their physicality. His ability to stop the run will help solidify the Gamecocks’ defense, allowing their talented secondary to thrive in coverage. Additionally, Jones’ ability to rush the passer, as evidenced by his three sacks, gives Beamer flexibility to use him as a blitzer, adding a new dimension to the defense. With Jones now in the fold, South Carolina’s defense looks primed for a major upgrade heading into next season.
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