South Carolina may be without two key players vs. Kent State

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

South Carolina likely to be without two key players for season opener vs. Kent State

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 19, 2026 7:13 PM ET

The South Carolina Gamecocks are a bit banged up heading into the 2026 season.

That has to be concerning for head coach Shane Beamer, given the pressure on him heading into this campaign.

After starting his career 29-22 and seemingly getting the Gamecocks back on track after the disappointing end of the Will Muschamp era, Beamer is coming off a terrible 2025 season.

The Gamecocks were expected to potentially even be a College Football Playoff contender in 2025. Instead, they went 4-8.

Now, it's being reported that they'll likely start the season without key transfer offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak and superstar edge-rusher Dylan Stewart.

The Gamecocks kick things off on Sept. 5 against Kent State, and both Peak and Stewart will likely be out.

JUST IN: Per @Clowfb quoting Shane Beamer- Dylan Stewart + Jacarrius Peak not likely for the Gamecocks Sept. 5 opener

DETAILS ⤵️https://t.co/eWNq22wiY9 pic.twitter.com/LuPdD37JPB
— TheBigSpur.com (@TheBigSpurOn3) August 19, 2026

Peak is a transfer from North Carolina State, where he started all 13 games for the Wolfpack at left tackle in 2025. He's a big dude at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, and he was a prized pickup for Beamer and the Gamecocks in the transfer portal.

Stewart is one of the best players in the country, let alone in the SEC. A junior, he's notched 11 sacks over the past two seasons to go along with 22.5 tackles for loss.

South Carolina Gamecocks dealing with injuries to start the 2026 season

Peak is dealing with a left knee injury that he suffered in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in February.

Stewart suffered a back injury midway through the 2025 season that caused him to be shut down late in the year.

If there is any positive for South Carolina, it's that the start of the 2026 season is rather easy. The Gamecocks play Kent State, followed by Towson and Mississippi State before things really kick off with an away game at No. 13 Alabama in late September.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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