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Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (99) is expected to be one of the Gamecocks' leaders this season. File/Artie Walker/Special to The Post and Courier
COLUMBIA — Four of last season’s five captains are gone. It happens every year, but it’s not anything a coach gets used to.
Who are the voices, the stalwarts, the leaders for the next group? Especially when the number of newcomers keeps swelling?
Who makes their mark right away, in January not far removed from the end of the previous year, and stamps their ownership on the team?
South Carolina’s coaching staff took turns answering.
The easiest answer was the lone returning captain, who’s also the starting quarterback. That kind of role will always be looked to, and it's held by LaNorris Sellers whether he wants it or not (spoiler: He does, and he always has).
“‘Everybody’s looking to you. So don’t change who you are. Be who you are,’” USC coach Shane Beamer described as a conversation he’s had with Sellers this offseason. “‘You're a three-time captain, chance to be a three-year starting quarterback, leader of the team. You really need to embrace that role in your way.’
“So I’ve seen him really work to do that, really grow in that way. And that’s what I’ve been pleased with.”
Sellers will be looked to command every huddle and probably every full-team meeting. Nature of the spot. But he’ll have help.
“I would say Gabe Brownlow-Dindy has been one that’s stepped up. Gerald Kilgore has stepped up. Shawn Murphy has stepped up the leadership role, and Peyton Williams,” defensive coordinator Clayton White said. “Those are the four guys I would say that’s more vocal, that really know what we want.”
White remembers how in 2024, transfers Kyle Kennard and Demetrius Knight came in and immediately set examples in their preparation and weren’t shy about speaking up in the locker room despite being new. Nothing against this team’s new defensive players, but thus far it’s some of the old heads who have been doing most of the lead-dog work.
All four played extensively last year, and all four are projected to be on the two-deep this year, if not starting Week 1. It helps that they’re all over the defense, Brownlow-Dindy up front, Murphy at linebacker and Kilgore and Williams in the secondary.
Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is new to the scene as well but saw what he was looking for in spring practice, besides the obvious candidate in Sellers.
“It’s probably (Brady Hunt) and (Maurice Brown),” he said. “Those guys, they’re strong leaders, just do everything right all the time. You know, (Nyck Harbor) is kind of starting to position himself into that, which has been good.”
Briles also desired for an offensive lineman or two to step up. Nolan Hay and Carter Miller, at this point, stand to be the “big guys” who can speak to the group.
More will be identified as the season progresses, probably "as the lights turn on" and the games begin. Some are bidding for a role for this year.
Plenty more this year will be identified in those roles for next year, even if they don't know it yet.
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