Entering the season ranked No. 13, the South Carolina football team is built on defense. In the secondary, the Gamecocks have a combination of impact players and depth who will all look to make an impact in the 2025-26 season.
Heading into the season opener, defensive coordinator Clayton White was tasked with retooling one the nation's top defenses. As a whole, the Gamecocks' defense will look very different, losing five defenders to this year's NFL draft and only returning four starters. Of the returning starters, three of them are defensive backs.
White's defense is built on forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the secondary to match the high powered offenses of the SEC. The return of players who know the system and have seen time on defense makes the unit one of the strongest on the team.
Returning players
Returning starters senior safety DQ Smith and junior cornerback Jalon Kilgore provide a sense of security and leadership on the back end for the Gamecocks defensively.
As a veteran of the program, Smith is back at safety for the Gamecocks this season. Posting 37 tackles and an interception in 2024, Smith has taken the offseason working to make an impact on an improving the Gamecocks defense.
Kilgore spends most of his time as a slot corner and is poised to be one of the nation's best as he looks to impress scouts in the 2025-26 season. Hoping to improve on a season where he amassed 48 tackles, five pass deflections and a team-high five interceptions, Kilgore enters his third season as a starter and will look to add leadership to his resume.
Fellow cornerbacks redshirt sophomore Vicari Swain and junior Judge Collier will also have expanded roles in Clayton White's defense this season. Collier, who started all 13 games last season, led the team with eight passes defended to go along with 28 tackles. Collier is gearing up for his junior campaign where he will look to improve his game and make more plays for the Gamecocks defense.
Swain, despite not participating in spring camp, is looking to find himself as a starting cornerback opposite of Collier in the Gamecocks' secondary. Standing at 6 feet and 1 inch and weighing 190 pounds, Swain has gained confidence going into this season and possesses the tools to become an effective corner in the SEC.
At the safety position, replacing Nick Emmanwori is no small task. However, the competition to be the second starting safety according to White will be open up until the season opener against Virginia Tech.
“It's going very well, obviously they all bring something different to the table in regards of how they play, but they've done a really good job with just really competing and helping each other,” White said.
Redshirt senior Peyton Williams, who stepped in for Emmanwori making an impact with four tackles in the second half of the Citrus Bowl, has earned the trust of the coaches through his work on special teams. Williams has built momentum and is looking to make an impact playing defense for the Gamecocks this season.
“He’s a veteran guy who kind of understands the big picture of football. He's kind of like a coach on the field,” White said.
Among those working to be the second safety in White's defense is redshirt junior Gerald Killgore. Entering his second year in the program, Kilgore has put himself in position to get reps at safety and on special teams.
Also in his second season as a Gamecock, sophomore David Bucey will look to improve his position in the defensive rotation. Bucey provided a spark on special teams as a true freshman, forcing two fumbles and has gained momentum turning in a productive offseason.
“Ball out Buce. That's what we like to call him,” Jalon Kilgore said, “He gets (to) the ball every time he can. He's aggressive, fast, he's smart, he’s picking up the playbook very well.”
First-Year Gamecocks
NC State junior transfer Brandon Cisse has impressed the Gamecocks coaching staff by showing versatility as both a nickel and outside corner. Cisse will be utilized in the 2025-26 season. With 28 tackles and five pass breakups last season, Cisse has shown a knack for the ins and outs of football that matches his work ethic.
“(He’s) been a great addition to not just our secondary and not just our defense, but our football team. Just his mentality, the way he practices, the speed that he plays with, I think he's getting ready to have a really productive year for us,” head coach Shane Beamer said.
Redshirt senior Myles Norwood also joined the Gamecocks this offseason. Last season at Ball State, Norwood racked up five pass breakups and 38 tackles. Playing cornerback, Norwood is in contention to start opposite Collier for the Gamecocks.
What's Next?
The Gamecocks are set to open the season playing in the Aflac Kickoff Game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday, Aug. 31. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. from Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta and will be broadcast on ESPN.