South Carolina Gamecocks Debut at No. 13 in AP Preseason Top 25, Signaling Rising Expectations and Renewed Respect for the Program
With the release of the 2025 Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll, the South Carolina Gamecocks have stormed into the national spotlight, earning the No. 13 ranking—their first preseason appearance since 2014, then ranked ninth. This milestone marks more than just another number on a list; it reflects both validation and heightened expectations for a program on the rise.
The Gamecocks closed the 2024 season with a 9‑4 record and a six-game regular‑season winning streak, finishing 19th in both the final AP and Coaches polls. That momentum carried into the offseason, with voters placing renewed confidence in South Carolina’s trajectory leading into 2025.
This preseason ranking is emblematic of the growing respect for Shane Beamer’s football leadership and the team’s rapid transformation. Beamer recently claimed multiple Coach of the Year honors—including SEC Coach of the Year—from the AP, USA Today, and others, validating his impact. His stewardship helped South Carolina achieve its first winning conference record since 2017, a school-record number of wins over ranked teams, and the most wins in his first four seasons compared to any Gamecock coach.
Not only was South Carolina elevated in the preseason AP poll, but it also matched its No. 13 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll—an agreement that underscores the program’s rising standing among both media and peers.
The current AP Top 25 is topped by powerhouse programs led by Texas at No. 1, followed by Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia. South Carolina sits just behind these elite teams, ahead of programs like Michigan (No. 14) and Florida (No. 15), positioning the Gamecocks as a top-tier SEC competitor.
Despite this early-season acclaim, not all voices are in agreement. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, for example, called the Gamecocks’ preseason AP ranking “really high,” suggesting there may be skepticism about how they’ll perform under pressure.
South Carolina’s 2025 schedule reinforces the challenge ahead. They’ll open with Virginia Tech in Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on August 31, followed by marquee matchups against Clemson (No. 4), Alabama (No. 8), LSU (No. 9), Oklahoma (No. 18), Texas A&M (No. 19), and Ole Miss (No. 21). These games will be early indicators of whether the new ranking is earned—or perhaps too generous.
For Gamecock fans, the preseason No. 13 ranking isn’t just a number—it’s a symbol of earned progress. It tells a story of a program that defied expectations in 2024, delivered a breakout defense featuring standout performances from players like Kyle Kennard and LaNorris Sellers, and is now entering the 2025 season with both respect and opportunity.SEC recognition, playoff buzz, and national headlines: South Carolina has arrived.
