Did Shane Beamer make South Carolina football better? Grading 2026 offseason moves

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer’s staff and roster look a lot different now than it did three months ago.

The Gamecocks went 4-8 in 2025 and Beamer fired two coaches amid his worst season in Columbia, then had more staff changes throughout December.

South Carolina also used the transfer portal to rebuild at critical positions.

Spring practice begins on March 4 for the Gamecocks. Before they start practice, here’s how we graded South Carolina’s notable offseason decisions.

Shane Beamer retains LaNorris Sellers, Nyck Harbor, Dylan Stewart

South Carolina fans knew by Christmas that Beamer had retained three star players, including starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Sellers was a preseason Heisman Trophy contender and projected early 2026 NFL draft pick but was underwhelming in 2025. Sellers still was expected to be picked in the 2026 NFL Draft if he had entered, but he decided to return.

In the world of NIL and revenue share, it’s no small feat to retain your starting quarterback.

Beamer also kept star edge rusher Dylan Stewart despite his position coach Sterling Lucas leaving for LSU. The same goes for Nyck Harbor, who led the team with 618 receiving yards on 30 catches and scored six touchdowns in 2025. Harbor is 6-foot-5 and one of the fastest receivers in college football.

Beamer also brought back key players like Vicari Swain, who played cornerback and had three touchdowns as a punt returner.

Losing wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs (548 yards on 32 catches) was arguably the biggest transfer loss, but Beamer added Nitro Tuggle out of Purdue, who is an inch taller and had 500 receiving yards on 34 catches last year.

Grade: A+

South Carolina, Shane Beamer hire Kendal Briles as new OC

Beamer needed to nail the offensive coordinator hire after having trouble with that job throughout his time in Columbia. He fired Mike Shula in November after less than a year and in December, hired Kendal Briles out of TCU.

TCU went 8-4 in 2025, 9-4 in 2024 and 5-7 in Briles’ first year. The Horned Frogs were 30th in the FBS in total offense, averaging 425.3 yards last season. South Carolina was 107th at 336.3.

It’s hard to gauge how Briles’ system will work with Sellers and everyone at South Carolina, but bringing in a college offensive coordinator was a huge win for Beamer.

Grade: A-

Shane Beamer flips Julian Walker to cap 2026 class

South Carolina flipped edge rusher Julian Walker from Michigan. He’s is the No. 3 prospect from the state according to the 247Sports Composite and the No. 10 edge rusher in the Class of 2026.

Losing high school recruits is not uncommon following a disappointing season but Beamer still signed a high school recruiting class that is ranked No. 16 nationally by 247Sports.

Beamer signed 15 in the early period and 17 overall. Over the losing season, he only lost two commits.

Grade: B+

Shane Beamer fires coaches, assembles new South Carolina staff

A lot of changes needed to happen and Beamer made those adjustments beyond the offensive coordinator.

Beamer first fired offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley on Oct. 12 after the 20-10 loss to LSU. Briles brought Randy Clements with him from TCU to replace him. 

Beamer fired running backs coach Marquel Blackwell on Dec. 4 after the Gamecocks didn’t sign a high school running back for the second straight season. He hired Stan Drayton out of Penn State to replace Blackwell.

A day after it was official Lucas was joining LSU, Beamer announced the hire of Deion Barnes from Penn State as defensive ends/outside linebackers coach. He moved quickly with the transfer portal about to open.

When special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders on Feb. 16 after two seasons with the Gamecocks, Beamer hired Matthew Smiley by Feb. 21.

Grade: B+

South Carolina brings in top-25 transfer class but top player injured

South Carolina added 25 players via the transfer portal, and the class ranks No. 22 nationally and No. 10 in the SEC, according to 247Sports.

Beamer rebuilt his offensive line with the portal and added key players in necessary spots.

Before February, this category was more toward the A- range, but star transfer offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak was injured while playing in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament organized by the program.

Peak transferred from NC State and was South Carolina’s highest-rated transfer in the 2026 class. He will miss the spring but Beamer said, “We fully anticipate him being ready to roll when September rolls around.”

Grade: B+

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer grades for offseason moves