The Death of Spring Games? Not in Shane Beamer’s South Carolina
College football is changing fast—amateurism, four-year eligibility, and walk-ons are vanishing, and now spring games seem to be on the chopping block.
A growing list of powerhouse programs, including Texas, USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Florida State, Nebraska, and N.C. State, have scrapped their annual spring games. The reason? Many coaches fear that showcasing young players could make them easy targets for the transfer portal.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed to another factor: the length and physical toll of the season. “The development that’s needed for these guys to get ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be,” Sarkisian said on the Up and Adams Show in February. “Our approach is going to be a little more NFL-driven.”
While many schools are following suit, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer isn’t backing down.
Beamer Stands Firm: South Carolina’s Spring Game Is Staying
For Beamer, the idea that spring games lead to player poaching is almost laughable. He made it clear during a press conference: South Carolina will absolutely have a spring game.
“If I told our players that we weren’t having a spring game, I think they’d be pretty dang disappointed because of how much they love to compete,” Beamer said.
And the idea that skipping a spring game will stop other teams from stealing talent? Beamer isn’t buying it.
“Whether there’s a spring game or five closed scrimmages, other teams already know who we have on our roster,” he stated. “They’re going to try and snag someone regardless.”
Injury Risks? Not a Good Enough Excuse
Some coaches cite injuries as another reason to cancel spring games. But Beamer, who lost his starting left tackle Jaylen Nichols to an ACL tear in the 2023 spring game, refuses to use that as a justification.
“What’s so different about a spring game versus a normal practice or scrimmage?” Beamer asked. “There’s injury risk in everything.”
The Real Reason Beamer Refuses to Kill the Spring Game
At its core, South Carolina’s Garnet & Black Spring Game is about more than just football.
“I don’t want to take that away from anyone,” Beamer said. “Some of these schools canceling their spring game barely draw 1,000 fans. That’s not South Carolina.”
Williams-Brice Stadium saw 32,500 fans show up last year—an experience that’s crucial for young players.
“For a lot of guys, it’s the biggest crowd they’ve ever played in front of,” Beamer said. “Now, the first time they step on a big stage won’t be in front of 70,000 people in Atlanta against Virginia Tech.”
A Recruiting Advantage Too Big to Lose
Beamer isn’t just thinking about his current players—he’s thinking about future Gamecocks.
Spring games are a massive recruiting tool, and Beamer knows it. South Carolina’s game is set for Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m., making it the only major program playing that night.
“It will be a great recruiting experience for us, and I don’t want to lose that,” Beamer said. “A spring game at Williams-Brice is different than a spring game in some places I’ve watched on TV.”
The Bottom Line? South Carolina’s Spring Game Isn’t Going Anywhere
While other schools are giving up on the tradition, Beamer is doubling down. Williams-Brice will be rocking on April 18, and South Carolina is proving that some traditions are still worth fighting for.
