With Veterans Gone to the NFL, South Carolina Needs Breakout Stars to Emerge in the Defensive Backfield This 2025 Season
As the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare for the 2025 college football season, one area of intense scrutiny is the defensive backs room. With several seasoned veterans having made the leap to the NFL, including multi-year starters who served as the backbone of the secondary, head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White are now relying on younger, less-experienced players to step into significant roles. The SEC remains the most unforgiving conference in college football, and with a schedule stacked with top-tier quarterbacks and wideouts, South Carolina’s success this season could hinge on how quickly its new-look secondary comes together.
Last year, the Gamecocks’ secondary featured some of the program’s most experienced and productive players. Whether it was the hard-hitting presence of safeties like Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith, or the lockdown capabilities of cornerbacks like Marcellas Dial, South Carolina benefited from stability and leadership in its defensive backfield. But with Dial and others gone to the NFL and Emmanwori reportedly dealing with injury recovery this offseason, there is a glaring need for fresh contributors to emerge.
Fortunately for South Carolina, Beamer has recruited well in the secondary, and several younger players are poised to take the next step in their development. The question now is who will rise to the occasion—and whether the unit can avoid growing pains early in a grueling schedule.
Among those expected to fill the void are several underclassmen and reserves who have already flashed their potential in limited opportunities. Perhaps the most anticipated breakout candidate is rising sophomore safety Kelvin Hunter, a former four-star recruit who enrolled early and impressed during his first spring in Columbia.
Hunter has drawn praise from the coaching staff for his football IQ, physicality, and willingness to play downhill in run support. Though he was used sparingly in 2024, his performances in practice and limited game reps have convinced many inside the building that he’s ready for a starting role. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Hunter offers the ideal size and athleticism to patrol the backend of the Gamecocks’ defense.
Another name to watch is cornerback Judge Collier, a redshirt freshman who has quietly climbed the depth chart. A rangy defender with long arms and excellent closing speed, Collier could become a major factor on the outside. Coaches have been particularly impressed with his ability to recover in man coverage and his improved footwork during the offseason.
In the nickel spot, sophomore defensive back Zahbari Sandy could carve out a role as a hybrid safety-cornerback who excels in space. Sandy saw limited action last season but made a strong impression in the spring game, recording an interception and several key tackles. His versatility allows the Gamecocks to deploy more creative packages and match up better with spread offenses.
Transfers Bolstering the Room
With some inexperience among returning players, South Carolina also turned to the transfer portal for reinforcements—and landed a pair of potential difference-makers.
One such addition is former Michigan State cornerback Justin White, a graduate transfer who brings both experience and physicality. At MSU, White was known for his press-man coverage and aggressive tackling at the line of scrimmage. He has played in over 30 career games and gives the Gamecocks a mature, savvy presence at boundary corner. White is expected to compete for a starting role immediately, especially with the departure of Dial.
Another key transfer is Jalon Kilgore’s younger brother, Jayden Kilgore, a versatile DB from the junior college ranks. Though raw, Kilgore is an explosive athlete with excellent ball skills and a nose for the football. Coaches believe he could develop into a rotational piece early in the season and potentially play himself into a starting job if he adapts quickly to the SEC pace.
While the unit has lost some key veterans, there are still returning contributors who bring valuable experience and leadership. Chief among them is DQ Smith, who decided to return for another season instead of entering the NFL Draft. Smith has been a consistent playmaker for the Gamecocks since his freshman year and is considered the emotional leader of the secondary.
Smith’s ability to line up at multiple positions—safety, nickel, even corner in emergencies—makes him indispensable. His football IQ and communication skills will be vital in helping the younger defensive backs line up correctly and make adjustments pre-snap.
Another returner worth watching is O’Donnell Fortune, who has started multiple games during his time in Columbia. Fortune brings size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), toughness, and veteran savvy to the group. Though he’s battled injuries throughout his career, a healthy Fortune could be a steadying presence on the outside, especially in early-season matchups against explosive offenses like Oklahoma and Tennessee.
With a younger group on the field, defensive coordinator Clayton White is expected to tailor his schemes to reduce breakdowns in communication and blown coverages. Expect more zone coverage concepts early in the season, allowing younger players to play with their eyes on the quarterback and minimize mental errors.
White also plans to emphasize situational awareness and tackling fundamentals. Missed tackles were an issue for South Carolina’s secondary last season, particularly in open space. With a focus on proper angles and improved technique, the staff hopes to limit explosive plays and force offenses to drive the field.
Additionally, the coaching staff has brought in a new defensive backs assistant with NFL experience to fine-tune coverage mechanics and ball-tracking skills. This move has already paid dividends, according to reports out of summer workouts, as several players have shown improved timing and confidence in 1-on-1 coverage drills.
One of the most crucial elements of defensive back play is confidence. For a young secondary, building that confidence early in the season could make all the difference. South Carolina opens with a manageable slate before diving headfirst into the SEC gauntlet.
Games against Old Dominion and Akron in Weeks 1 and 2 offer valuable reps for younger DBs to adjust to the speed of live play and iron out mistakes. If players like Hunter, Collier, and Sandy can show flashes of consistency early, they’ll be better equipped to face the likes of Georgia, Florida, and Clemson later in the schedule.
Coach Beamer has consistently emphasized the importance of mental toughness, especially in the secondary where one mistake can lead to a 60-yard touchdown. The Gamecocks’ staff has implemented more competitive drills and pressure situations in practice to simulate real-game adversity. The hope is that these repetitions will create battle-hardened players who won’t fold when challenged by elite SEC offenses.
The outlook beyond 2025 also looks bright for South Carolina’s secondary. The Gamecocks have landed several highly regarded defensive back recruits in the 2024 and 2025 classes, including four-star cornerback Braydon Lee and hard-hitting safety Kelvin Thompkins, both of whom could see the field later this season if depth becomes an issue.
Beamer has made recruiting in the secondary a priority, and it shows. By stacking athletic, versatile prospects who can play multiple roles, South Carolina is building a pipeline that should produce results for years to come.
But for now, the focus is squarely on the players already in the building—those who must carry the mantle passed down by NFL-bound predecessors.
The Bottom Line
The South Carolina Gamecocks’ defensive backs room will look significantly different in 2025. Gone are the battle-tested veterans who formed the heart of last year’s defense. In their place is a group of talented, hungry, and largely unproven players ready to make their mark.
Whether or not this unit can rise to the occasion may ultimately determine how far South Carolina can climb in the SEC standings—and whether they can contend for a Playoff berth.
There are reasons for optimism: standout young talents like Kelvin Hunter and Judge Collier, savvy veterans like DQ Smith and O’Donnell Fortune, and portal additions who bring experience and edge. But there are also challenges: inexperience, pressure-filled matchups, and the steep learning curve of SEC competition.
One thing is clear—this fall, the eyes of Gamecock Nation will be on the secondary. If the new wave of defensive backs can answer the call, South Carolina could be in for a memorable ride.
