It was expected, but it is confirmed South Carolina will be without two of their top players for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Head coach Shane Beamer and the rest of the South Carolina squad knew they would be without star EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard for the Chee-It Citrus Bowl against No. 20 Illinois, but the jury was still out on running back Raheim Sanders, who recently declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
It was expected that Sanders was not going to be playing for the Gamecocks in one final game before heading to the NFL Combine, but now it is confirmed that the star running back has turned in his uniform for the final time.
The Gamecocks released their depth chart for the Citrus Bowl, and both Kennard and Sanders were not on it, meaning they will not be suiting up for South Carolina in Orlando. For players who have declared for the NFL draft, it is normal they wouldn’t play in the bowl game as they don’t want a risk an injury before the combine in late February.
Sanders and Kennard were two of the biggest players on both sides of the ball for South Carolina this season as Sanders led the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and Kennard led the team in sacks and forced fumbles.
To be without these two is a big hole that Beamer will need to figure out how to fill, but if anything, it gives other players a chance to step up and show the fourth-year head coach they can be the next man up. While South Carolina wants to get their 10th win of the season, Beamer will be able to play some of the younger guys to give them game experience and see how they react.
Even without Kennard and Sanders, the Gamecocks still have quite a few players who are most likely heading to the NFL, like Demetrius Knight Jr., who are choosing to still play in the bowl game as their final game. Of course, South Carolina will still have big-time playmakers such as quarterback LaNorris Sellers, EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart, and wide receiver Nyck Harbor balling out for the Gamecocks as they look to become bowl game champions yet again and get their 10th win in a season for just the fifth time in program history.
