SerpApi.Org
South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in 2026 on September 5 against Kent State. Williams-Brice Stadium will play host to the Gamecocks and Golden Flashes at 12:45 p.m., just 47 days from today.
Despite the No. 47 not being a traditional number associated with star players, several big-time players have worn the number for Carolina. Even with multiple USC Lettermen’s Hall of Famers wearing it (like Jay Lynn Hodgin and Willie Scott), the most popular Gamecock No. 47 is probably former fullback/h-back/tight end Pat DiMarco.
Questions about this story? Kevin Miller is discussing it with subscribers on The Insiders Forum.
DiMarco, a two-star defensive end/fullback out of the state of Florida and nephew of professional golfer Chris DiMarco, committed to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks in the record-setting class of 2007. Though that group was headlined by a slew of four-star players, DiMarco wound up being a remarkably impactful player in his own right at South Carolina.
As a true freshman, he was a major special teams player for the Gamecocks and co-special teams coordinator Shane Beamer. He also started getting some reps in the backfield, both as a fullback and as an offset h-back. DiMarco’s toughness and team-first mentality showed through in his blocking. He also scored his first touchdown in the team’s top-10 win over Kentucky.
DiMarco became a starter as a sophomore. The offense struggled in 2008, but that had a lot more to do with the team swapping quarterbacks at every turn and lacking running back depth. For his role, DiMarco blocked well again and began taking on a leadership role with the offense. He also scored a touchdown against Clemson in the regular-season finale.
Heading into the ’09 campaign, DiMarco was named a team captain. The Gamecocks didn’t improve their win total (again going 7-6), but they were a much better team. DiMarco scored the team’s only touchdown in the win over No. 3 Ole Miss, helping show the signs of what was to come.
Again a captain in 2010, DiMarco’s role changed in his final year in garnet and black. Because Weslye Saunders was no longer with the team, there was a glaring hole at tight end. The Gamecocks turned to DiMarco to fill it. He got a lot of reps with his hand in the dirt next to tackles Kyle Nunn, Hutch Eckerson, and Jarriel King. He blocked from the line of scrimmage and from the backfield, helping lead the way for Marcus Lattimore’s incredible All-American freshman season (not Freshman All-American but All-American as a freshman). Not just a blocker, DiMarco also caught three touchdowns for the SEC East champions.
See other jersey countdown stories like this on GamecockCentral.com.
Following his graduation, DiMarco nearly began a graduate coaching job at South Carolina. Instead, the San Diego Chargers signed DiMarco as an undrafted free agent. He spent very little time with the organization, though, thanks to a foot injury. Another short stint with the Chiefs followed. Then, DiMarco spent four years with the Atlanta Falcons, including an All-Pro and Pro Bowl season. He capped off a ten-year career with four more seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
Shortly after his retirement, DiMarco returned to his alma mater, just as he thought might happen a decade earlier. He spent a pair of seasons with the Gamecocks as an analyst and assistant director of football relations and working in the NIL world.
Now, DiMarco hosts the South Carolina Gamecocks podcast Tailgate Talks with former teammate Stephen Garica.
