As the Gamecocks gear up for the 2024-25 season, six starters from last year’s team will be missing. Notable graduates include Grant Howard (8-man), Dan Golden (center), and Jack van Vliet (scrumhalf), all of whom played monster roles last year.
Even still, player depth has been an ally for the Gamecocks. The squad returns 23 players who have logged some time on USC’s A-side. Outstanding returnees include Peter Blackburn (captain and 8-man), Grant Ruhlen (center and fly-half), Tom Allison (hooker and flanker), Nick Dubois (wing), Erik Elkin (lock and prop), Pat Emch (lock and flanker), Gavin Currant (flanker), Matty Walsh (wing) and Pierson Braddock (flanker).
The club developed some backline depth last season. Even Deutsch, Michael Dostillio, Jack Gallagher, Connor McPhail and Jamie Franchock earned valuable A-side experience.
On the forward front, the Gamecocks will need a big year from props AJ DeAngelis and Tom Brady. Prop has been an area of concern for the team. Both players had starting roles last year but are coming off injuries. Charlie Phelan (flanker), Jack Edwards (hooker) and Quinn Lafferty (flanker), who is returning from injury, will also press for starting time.
The Gamecock’s efforts should be buoyed by a 17-member recruiting class that includes four international players and a transfer.
“This is our third recruiting class since I was named coach” said Head Coach John Roberts.
“On paper it looks to be our strongest yet. But we’ll have to see how they perform on the pitch.”
The recruiting class includes:
Nicholas Clarke, 5’9, 220-pound hooker from Waxhaw, N.C.
Charles Dwyer, 6’2, 185-pound fly-half from Queensland, Australia. 10-year player. Started for Southport School. Also plays fullback. Smolka Scholar.
Nick Irvine, 5’10, 175-pound center from Somerville, N.J. 10-year player from Union Mudturtles.
Tommy Darlington, 6’4, 230-pound lock from Devon, PA. Six-year player with Conestoga Rugby. Select-side and high school All-star. Smolka Scholar.
Michael Reing, 5’9, 160-pound scrum-half from Wyndmoore, PA. Captain of LaSalle College High School 7s team. Smolka Scholar.
Landen Day 5’11, 200-pound prop from Lucy Beckham High School in Charleston, S.C.
Bryson Mobley, 6’1, 220-pound prop from Liberty, S.C. Highly recruited. Played on clubs in Greer and Atlanta.
Alex Patrascu, 5’10, 195-pound hooker and flanker from Naperville, I.L.L. Seven-year player.
Jackson Antonelli, 5’11, 205-pound eight-man from Landenberg, PA. Attended Salesian High School.
Aiden Flippin, 6’1, 190-pound wing from Arlington, VA. Played for Gonzaga, one of the top high school programs in the nation.
Junlie Cai, 5’9, 183-pound center from Kunming. China. Graduate student.
Charlie Feehan, 5’11 171-pound center from Bury, St. Edmonds, England. Starting side for his team. Twelve-year player.
Max Hendry, 5’11, 165-pound scrum half from Kilmacolm, Scotland. Transfer from Marian University, a varsity program. Smolka Scholar.
Garrett Scott, 5’10, 155-pound lock from Svannah, GA.
Alexander Leon, 5’9, 185-pound hooker from Brookland, NY. Played for Xavier, a top-tier high school program.
Gregor Smith, 6’4 170-pound lock from Mt. Pleasant, SC. Played for Wando High School.
Freddie Thomson, 6’2, 200-pound fly-half from Glasgow, Scotland. Starter for Glasgow Hawks (in the Scottish Premiership) and 2022-23 player of the year for St. Columba’s School 1st XV. Will enroll in January. Smolka Scholar.
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