The South Carolina Gamecocks are gearing up for a pivotal 2026 football season. Their recent influx of 25 new transfers shows just how committed they are to success.
Members of the media met with a dozen of these newcomers at the Long Family Football Operations Center, right before spring practice kicked off. There was a lot to learn from these fresh faces—both their backgrounds and what they might bring to the Gamecocks.
Let’s get into some of the insights they shared and take a look at four standout players from the 2025 season who showed off at the NFL Combine.
New Faces in Columbia
Among the 25 new transfers, a handful really stood out during the media session. Here are some names that caught attention:
- Caleb Herring
- Christian Clark
- Hank Purvis
- Ebubedike Nnabugwu
- Seth Smith
- Kelby Collins
- Drew Collins
- Sam Dixon
- Armando Nieves
- Dayne Arnett
- Tomiwa Durojaiye
- Sam Williams-Dixon
Kelby Collins: A Full Circle Journey
Senior defensive tackle Kelby Collins has one of the more interesting stories. He’s originally from Alabama and his path to Columbia has been anything but straightforward.
“It’s definitely full circle,” Collins said. South Carolina was in his top five back in high school and again when he hit the transfer portal for the first time.
Now, he’s finally landed with the Gamecocks. Sometimes, things just fall into place.
Spring Practice on the Horizon
The Gamecocks start spring practice on March 4th. This stretch is crucial for blending the new transfers in and building team chemistry.
The Long Family Football Operations Center is about to get a lot busier as everyone gears up for what could be a defining season.
Standout Players from the 2025 Season
Four Gamecocks from the 2025 season made a splash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here’s who stood out:
- Nick Barrett – Defensive Tackle
- Brandon Cisse – Cornerback
- Rahsul Faison – Running Back
- Jalon Kilgore – Defensive Back
Nick Barrett: The Run-Stuffer
Lance Zierlein from NFL.com says Nick Barrett isn’t the flashiest or most athletic guy out there, but his “slow power” and knack for clogging up running lanes really jump off the tape. Barrett’s build is solid, and he could probably add even more mass.
He’s a force against the run, eating up blocks and making life tough in the trenches. As a pass rusher, he’s not going to wow anyone, but as a rotational nose tackle, he brings real value.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What does Barrett do well?
- Broad chest and waist, plus a burly lower half
- Great at jamming up run lanes inside
- Can press blockers into awkward, ineffective spots as a two-gapper
- Packs enough punch to discourage double teams
- Drives through sealed blocks and collapses gaps
- Makes it tough for blockers to maintain their hold
But he’s got some issues too:
- Hand quickness is just average off the snap
- Can eat blocks but doesn’t have the agility to chase plays outside his gap
- Change-of-direction isn’t a strong suit
- Gets upright and stiff as a pass rusher
- Short-area athleticism limits his consistency as a tackler
Brandon Cisse: The Explosive Athlete
Brandon Cisse brings an explosive athleticism that’s hard to ignore. Zierlein points out that Cisse still needs polish, but his versatility in coverage and run support are real pluses.
His work ethic and athleticism help his case, though his instincts and anticipation could use work. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but the upside is there.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Cisse’s strengths:
- Explosive athletic profile
- Length and strength to disrupt in press coverage
- Good at sitting on short routes and squeezing space
- Quick to react to throws from the top of his drop
- Uses size well when tight in coverage
- Has the speed to stick with deep routes
- Supports the run almost like a box safety
- Beats blockers with quickness and meets runners right at the line
And his weaknesses:
- Struggles with route recognition and matching breaks from off coverage
- Has trouble finding the ball with his back turned
- Tracking and adjusting to deep balls isn’t his forte
- Needs to read and react to quarterbacks more consistently
- Production on the ball throughout his career has been pretty ordinary
Rahsul Faison: The Instinctive Runner
Rahsul Faison isn’t the youngest prospect, but he’s got the toughness and talent to make it. Zierlein calls him an instinctive runner with size, vision, and a bit of wiggle—he creates yards by breaking tackles.
His 2025 stats might not pop, but the tape shows he can handle all three downs. There’s more there than just the numbers.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What stands out for Faison?
- Runs smoothly and can cut sharply to make defenders miss
- Doesn’t need perfect blocking to make something happen
- Sees the field well and gets creative
- Changes pace and direction, making him tough to square up
- Fights through contact with balance
- Knows when to lower his pads and finish runs
- Natural hands as a pass catcher
Areas where he struggles:
- Needs to speed up his anticipation of running lanes at the next level
- Sometimes bails on zone runs before letting blocks develop
- Lacks breakaway speed to finish long runs
- No special teams experience in college
- Will enter the league as a 26-year-old rookie
Jalon Kilgore: The Versatile Defensive Back
Jalon Kilgore stands out as a big, long defensive back who can play nickel or down safety, depending on the scheme. Zierlein points out that Kilgore has handled an overhang “Star” role, covering slot receivers and helping out against the run.
He looks like a good fit for covering tight ends and containing the run near the box in the pros. That versatility could really help his stock.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Kilgore brings some real strengths to the table:
- He’s a big defensive back, with long arms and explosive lower-body power.
- Over three college seasons, he racked up eight interceptions and 21 pass breakups.
- He can stall tight ends and big slot receivers right at the line of scrimmage.
- His range in zone coverage stands out, and he reads plays well.
- He closes fast and doesn’t hesitate to deliver a heavy hit after the catch.
- When he tackles, those long arms wrap up receivers completely.
- He packs plenty of stopping power as a run defender.
- His balance and reactive agility in the open field make him a reliable tackler.
But, yeah, there are a few weaknesses too:
- He shows good play speed for a safety, but it’s just not quite enough for a cornerback.
- His burst when matching route breaks is kind of average.
- Sometimes, his motor cools off when he’s away from the play.
- For his size, you’d expect him to handle blocks better—it’s just not a strong point.
If you’re curious about how these newcomers might shake things up for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2026, there’s more to dig into. See the full breakdown and some extra thoughts over at 247Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
