Gerald Kilgore has shined on defense for Gamecocks. There’s more to come, he says
If anyone thinks they’re the first to ask South Carolina defensive back Gerald Kilgore about him and his brother, fellow Gamecock DB Jalon Kilgore, well you’re not.
Since Gerald transferred to USC from Tennessee Tech before the 2024 season, in part because his younger brother told head coach Shane Beamer and DBs coach Torrian Gray of Gerald’s position change,, it’s regularly a topic of discussion in front of the media.
“I get this question so many times, but it’s perfectly fine, because, like I said, everybody don’t get this opportunity,” Gerald said. “For him and me to be on the field at the same time ... it’s heartwarming for me.”
To start the 2025 season, Gerald has recorded six tackles, nearly eclipsing his 2024 season total of seven already, alongside a pass breakup and a team-high two interceptions in back-to-back games. His returned most recent pick for a touchdown in USC’s 35-13 win against Kentucky.
“It feels real good, like I said, it’s just a testament to my journey, my story and to where I’m headed,” Gerald said.
Gerald, a converted quarterback who redshirted his first year at Tennessee Tech before playing his second season as a DB, arrived in Columbia as a 3-star transfer. He didn’t have much of an impact in his first year with the Gamecocks, partially due to limited snaps. But people started throwing his name around in preseason after a clip of him snagging an interception during a scrimmage was posted on the team’s X/Twitter account.
“That was great play,” Gamecock defensive coordinator Clayton White said at a fall camp press conference. “I always have a lot of respect for football players that put in the work and you can see the improvement in front of your eyes. I think that’s what I’ve seen from him.”
Gerald’s reps have increased as USC’s secondary unit battles injuries. He’s made the most of the extra spotlight and has garnered some extra praise from the coaching staff.
“We gave GK a game ball,” head coach Shane Beamer revealed in his Kentucky postgame conference. “And I told him, look, he was a quarterback in high school, and he was a quarterback to start his career at Tennessee Tech, so you saw his running skills afterwards, and great job.”
While Gerald has enjoyed his strong start to the season, he’s focused on what he can do next — not just for himself, but the Gamecock defense as a whole.
“Everything that I’ve been through everything to get to this point, it’s starting to pay off, but it’s much more to accomplish,” he said. “We happy for each other, everybody see each other just eating, getting exactly what they deserve. ... It was a lot of plays made tonight on both sides of the ball, and a lot of guys and a lot of names that’s gonna continue to keep popping up. So y’all stay ready.”
