South Carolina Football: 5 Key Players to Watch This Season
2025-11-18 09:00
As a longtime college football analyst who's spent more Saturdays than I can count studying game tape and tracking player development, I find myself particularly intrigued by South Carolina's roster this coming season. While my day job involves breaking down SEC matchups, I've always believed we can learn something by looking at how other sports build successful programs. Take Japan's men's volleyball team, Ryujin Nippon, for example - they've become a global powerhouse by developing exceptional talent like Ran Takahashi, Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida, who will all be center stage when the Philippines hosts the 32-team FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship in September 2025. That kind of strategic player development is exactly what I see emerging in Columbia right now.
When I first saw Spencer Rattler take the field last season, I'll admit I had my doubts about whether he could translate his raw talent into consistent performance. But watching his progression through spring practices has completely changed my perspective. This kid has put in the work - I'm talking about 5 AM film sessions and staying after practice until he's completed exactly 200 throws daily. His completion percentage improved from 58% to nearly 68% over the course of last season, and what really impressed me was how he cut his interception rate by roughly 40% between September and November. The way he's developed reminds me of how Japan's Yuki Ishikawa evolved from a promising young player into a global volleyball star - both athletes have that rare combination of natural ability and relentless work ethic that separates good players from program-defining talents.
Then there's MarShawn Lloyd, who I genuinely believe could be the most underrated running back in the SEC. When I reviewed his tape from last season, what stood out wasn't just his 6.2 yards per carry average, but how his running style evolved after returning from that ACL injury. The burst is clearly back - I clocked him at 4.38 in the 40 during spring testing - but what's more impressive is how he's developed better field vision. He's reading blocks differently now, waiting that extra half-second for lanes to develop rather than just plowing ahead. It's the kind of maturation I've seen in elite athletes across sports, similar to how Japan's volleyball sensation Yuji Nishida adjusted his attacking approach to become more strategic rather than relying purely on power.
On the defensive side, I've got to talk about Zacch Pickens because frankly, I think he's poised for a monster season. The defensive tackle recorded 38 tackles and 4 sacks last year, but those numbers don't tell the whole story. What the stats miss is how he commands double teams on roughly 65% of snaps, which creates opportunities for everyone else on that defensive line. When I spoke with defensive coordinator Clayton White last month, he mentioned how Pickens has added about 15 pounds of muscle while maintaining his quickness - that's exactly the kind of physical development that turns solid college players into NFL prospects.
Speaking of defense, I can't overlook linebacker Sherrod Greene. His return from that foot injury that cost him most of last season changes everything for this defense. When I look at the roster, his leadership might be even more valuable than his on-field production - and his production was already impressive with 73 tackles in his last full season. The defense gave up 28.8 points per game without him last year compared to 21.3 when he was healthy in 2020. That's not a coincidence. His ability to read offenses and make adjustments reminds me of how setter Ran Takahashi orchestrates Japan's volleyball offense - both players have that cerebral approach to their sport that elevates everyone around them.
Finally, let's talk about Cam Smith at cornerback. This kid has all the tools to be South Carolina's next great defensive back. He broke up 11 passes last season and grabbed 3 interceptions, but what really excites me is his growth in coverage technique. I've noticed he's gotten much better at reading receivers' hips rather than just reacting to their routes - it's a subtle adjustment that makes a huge difference at this level. At 6'1" with long arms, he's got the physical attributes that NFL scouts drool over, and if he continues developing at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a first-round pick next year.
What strikes me about this group of players is how they complement each other, much like how Japan's volleyball stars have developed distinct but complementary skills. Takahashi's setting brilliance enables Nishida's powerful attacks, while Ishikawa provides consistent scoring - it's the same kind of symbiotic relationship I see developing between Rattler's passing and Lloyd's running, or between Pickens' interior pressure and Smith's coverage skills. The Gamecocks might not have the depth of some SEC powerhouses yet, but their core talent is better than many analysts are acknowledging.
Looking at this roster, I'm more optimistic about South Carolina's chances than I've been in several seasons. They've got experienced leadership, emerging young talent, and what appears to be genuine chemistry developing. Are they ready to challenge Georgia for the SEC East title? Probably not yet. But could they pull off a couple of upsets and finish with 8 or 9 wins? Absolutely. The foundation is there, and if these key players stay healthy and continue developing, this could be the season that puts South Carolina back on the map as a legitimate SEC contender.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
