SerpApi.Org
Shane Beamer on Tuesday continued a customary monthly occurrence this offseason: He gave the latest health update on edge Dylan Stewart and offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak, both of whom missed spring practice because of injuries.
Speaking Tuesday at SEC Media Days, Beamer said both are making progress.
“Jacarrius Peak is actually running,” Beamer said. “Dylan will take another step in his journey next week and should crank it up. They’re on track and we’ll see where they are from a check-up standpoint here at the end of August, and hopefully they’ll be ready to rock and roll once we get into the season.”
Peak, the N.C. State transfer who headlined the Gamecocks’ 2026 portal class, was expected to be South Carolina’s starting left tackle. That may still be the case, but the timeline of his USC debut is unclear after he suffered a knee injury while playing in a team-organized 3-on-3 basketball tournament in February, forcing him to miss all of spring practice.
Stewart is still recovering from a back injury he suffered late in the 2025 season, a nagging issue that he battled through while starting - and recording a sack - against both Ole Miss and Texas A&M. He missed the Gamecocks’ penultimate game against Coastal Carolina before playing in the first half against Clemson.
South Carolina opens the season with Kent State, Towson and then Mississippi State, all at home. The Gamecocks’ first official preseason practices are expected to take place the first full week of August.
Their ultimate availability will depend on their respective progress and whether or not they’re medically cleared to compete.
“Both of those guys are competitors,” Beamer said. “They both want to play, and they both want to play game one.”
After the season, the severity of Stewart’s injury became more clear when Beamer admitted that his star pass rusher was still lining up despite “basically (having) a broken back.” Beamer didn’t completely rule out the possibility of Stewart needing surgery, but explained that the best treatment was extended rest. That seems to have paid off.
When healthy, Stewart is one of the best pass-rushers in America, widely projected to be a top pick in the 2027 draft. Through two seasons at South Carolina, the Washington, DC, product has totaled 56 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 11 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.
As for Peak, Beamer said he personally witnessed the O-lineman perform 40 reps of “walk and press” in the weight room Tuesday.
“If you ask any of our players, it’s god awful and horrible,” Beamer said of the walk-and-press routine.
