Shane Beamer discusses the South Carolina Gamecocks’ defensive end depth.
“Reloading the Edge: Shane Beamer Discusses South Carolina’s Defensive End Depth Concerns Ahead of 2025 Season”
By all accounts, Shane Beamer is building something special in Columbia. But while the South Carolina Gamecocks have made tangible progress under Beamer’s leadership, the 2025 season comes with no shortage of questions—especially when it comes to depth at the defensive end position.
As the SEC arms race continues, South Carolina finds itself in the thick of the nation’s most demanding conference, trying to match up week after week with programs stacked two and three deep at every position. Beamer knows that having starting talent is one thing—but without depth, especially in the trenches, consistency and competitiveness go out the window.
And when it comes to edge rusher, South Carolina has more uncertainty than assurance.
Post-Portal Fallout
The offseason departures of Jordan Burch (now at Oregon) and Gilber Edmond (now at Florida State) were early warning signs that the Gamecocks’ edge room was about to get very thin, very fast. Burch, a former five-star recruit, and Edmond, a developing presence, were supposed to be major pillars for the defense. But once both transferred out following the 2022 campaign, it left the program scrambling to fill a void that hasn’t truly been patched.
Speaking candidly during spring camp, Beamer didn’t sugarcoat the issue.
“We’re not where we need to be from a depth standpoint on the edge,” Beamer said. “We’ve got some guys who have played football, but we need them to take another step. And we need some of the younger guys to come on. That’s just the reality of where we are.”
Beamer has remained upbeat in tone, but his words reveal real concern. In a league where pressuring the quarterback is paramount—and where keeping defensive lines fresh with consistent rotations is a must—the lack of depth at edge could quickly evolve into a major storyline for the 2025 Gamecocks.
Veteran Presence vs. Production Uncertainty
The edge room isn’t devoid of experience. South Carolina will lean heavily on a trio of veterans: Tyreek Johnson, Jordan Strachan, and Terrell Dawkins.
Johnson, now entering his sixth year with the program, is respected inside the locker room and has shown flashes of playmaking ability. But injuries have limited his development and disrupted his consistency. Dawkins, a transfer from NC State, arrived with promise but has battled lingering health issues. Strachan, a sixth-year senior who began his career at Georgia State, tore his ACL in 2022 and is only just now rounding back into full form.
All three bring value—but none are sure bets.
“We’re hoping for a breakout from somebody in that group,” Beamer said. “They’ve all been through adversity. Now it’s about putting it all together and playing with consistency.”
The challenge for defensive coordinator Clayton White will be managing snap counts and workloads. In the SEC, edge rushers are expected to get after elite quarterbacks and set the edge against physically imposing run games. Doing that for 60-plus snaps a game, every week, is asking for breakdowns—both in stamina and performance.
Young Talent and Developmental Urgency
With veteran production still a question mark, Beamer and the staff are pushing hard for younger players to emerge. Redshirt freshman Bryan Thomas Jr., true freshman Dylan Stewart, and sophomore Desmond Umeozulu represent the future at edge for the Gamecocks—and potentially the present, too.
Stewart, in particular, is creating buzz. A former five-star prospect out of Washington, D.C., he enrolled early and is already turning heads with his length, athleticism, and maturity.
“Dylan is a freak athlete, man,” said Beamer. “He’s already showing the kind of explosiveness we need off the edge. He’s still learning the system, still adjusting to the college game, but you can see the ceiling. He’s got all the tools.”
Umeozulu is another player who’s flashed potential, particularly in practice settings. Coaches have praised his work ethic and willingness to be coached, and they believe it’s only a matter of time before his talent begins translating on Saturdays.
Thomas Jr., the son of former NFL linebacker Bryan Thomas, is also seen as a developmental gem. He’s bulked up in the weight room and is working closely with the strength staff to refine his first step and hand usage.
“It’s a big jump from high school to the SEC,” said Beamer. “We’re asking a lot of these young guys, but we believe in them.”
Still, counting on freshmen and redshirt freshmen to carry a position group is risky business. The staff understands that, and they’re trying to mitigate that risk in a few creative ways.
Hybrid Help and Scheme Adjustments
One solution? Position flexibility.
Beamer has suggested that some interior linemen—such as Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley, and Elijah Davis—could see reps on the edge in certain packages. Hemingway in particular has the versatility and athleticism to play multiple spots along the front, and he’s been used as a chess piece in the past.
“Tonka’s a guy we trust to do a lot of things,” Beamer explained. “We’ll look at matchups week to week. There may be situations where we slide him outside to give us some help on the edge, especially if it helps us get more pass rush.”
Hemingway’s move isn’t a permanent fix, but it could be a situational bandaid, particularly on third downs or in long-yardage situations where speed and creativity are key.
The coaching staff is also toying with hybrid linebacker/edge roles. Certain defensive packages may feature outside linebackers blitzing off the edge more often, or nickel defenders lining up in unusual alignments to confuse protections.
The goal: manufacture pressure without relying exclusively on traditional defensive ends.
Portal Possibilities and the Search for Help
Make no mistake—South Carolina isn’t done looking.
Beamer made it clear that the transfer portal remains on the table as a possible solution. The Gamecocks have been active in the portal every offseason under Beamer, and that trend will likely continue this spring and summer.
“We’re always evaluating. We’re not just looking to bring in bodies, we’re looking to bring in guys who fit our culture and can help us right away,” Beamer said. “If we see someone who fits that mold, and they’re available, we’re going to go after them.”
The second transfer portal window in April will be crucial. Several Power 5 programs will see attrition, and edge rushers who feel buried on depth charts elsewhere could become available. Beamer’s pitch—playing time in the SEC, early snaps, and a rising program—will appeal to the right kind of player.
If South Carolina can land even one proven pass rusher with starting experience, it could shift the entire outlook for the defense.
Defensive Identity in Flux
At the heart of all this is a larger question: What will South Carolina’s defensive identity look like in 2025?
In recent years, the Gamecocks have leaned on opportunistic play, strong special teams, and timely turnovers to stay competitive in the SEC. But for the defense to take the next step, it must start up front—with disruption, sacks, and negative plays.
The 2025 defense is full of playmakers in the back end—led by safety Nick Emmanwori and cornerback O’Donnell Fortune—but they need help. Without consistent pressure on the quarterback, even elite defensive backs get exposed.
Beamer is well aware of this dynamic.
“It all starts up front. You can have all the talent in the secondary you want, but if the quarterback has all day to throw, it’s going to break down eventually,” he said. “We’ve got to get after people. That’s the goal.”
A Critical Stretch Ahead
As spring practice wraps up and the team turns its focus to summer workouts, the edge rusher situation will remain one of the most closely monitored aspects of the program. Can veterans stay healthy and productive? Can freshmen make a leap? Will a key portal addition arrive?
Beamer and his staff have work to do—but there’s belief inside the building that the Gamecocks will figure it out.
“We’ve been in tougher spots before,” Beamer said with a smile. “We’ve got competitors in that room. Guys who care. We’re going to keep pushing them, and they’re going to respond. I’ve got no doubt.”
If they do, South Carolina could surprise a lot of people in 2025.
But if the edge depth doesn’t come together, the defense—and the team’s overall success—may suffer.
Shane Beamer has already accomplished a lot at South Carolina. He’s reenergized the fanbase, made recruiting inroads, and guided the Gamecocks to big wins over rivals. But to truly elevate South Carolina into perennial SEC East contention, he knows the roster has to grow deeper, stronger, and more battle-tested—especially up front.
That starts with solving the EDGE riddle.
And with fall rapidly approaching, time is of the essence.
