The South Carolina football team will be missing a significant player next weekend during their trip to Tuscaloosa, as linebacker Bangally Kamara has requested a redshirt from head coach Shane Beamer.
This request came right after Kamara played a season-high number of snaps in the game against Ole Miss, indicating that he was not convinced to continue his final season with the Gamecocks despite increased playing time.
Kamara’s journey in college football began at Pitt, where he spent four years before transferring to South Carolina to compete in the SEC. Although he primarily served in a backup role, he was still active on the field and contributed significantly during his time.
Reports indicate that he logged 70 snaps across his first four games, ranking as one of the more utilized linebackers on the team. However, participating in just one more game would deplete his eligibility for the future.
During a meeting with Coach Beamer, Kamara expressed his desire to redshirt, but the conversation did not unfold as he had hoped. Beamer later shared details of their discussion, explaining that he believed Kamara could continue to play a vital role in the team.
He emphasized that his priority is what’s best for the team, which, in his view, meant having Kamara remain active and contributing to upcoming games, particularly against Alabama.
Ultimately, Beamer decided it would be best for both parties to part ways, leading to Kamara’s departure from the team. His locker has been cleared out, and he is no longer listed as part of the roster. This situation highlights the growing trend of midseason redshirt requests in college football, as players seek to preserve their eligibility amid concerns over playing time or other factors, creating additional challenges for coaches in managing their teams.
