© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images / © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The South Carolina football team landed prized recruit Jacarrius Peak in the offseason to help bolster its offensive line. The five-star prospect suffered an injury this month that will keep him out of both spring and summer workouts.
Shane Beamer provided an update on his mysterious setback, which occurred in a team organized pickup basketball tournament. The head coach does not accept blame for what he called an “unfortunate” situation.
The Gamecocks put on this team-building exercise each offseason. The tournament is used to create bonds and strengthen camaraderie. In most instances, it is incident free.
This year, that was not the case. A top transfer suffered a significant injury. It will keep him off the field for an extended period of time.
Who is Jacarrius Peak and what is his injury?
The offensive lineman was rated as the No. 2 tackle in the transfer portal this past cycle. The Valdosta, Georgia native spent three seasons at NC State before opting to test the open market.
He landed at South Carolina, choosing the Gamecocks over the likes of Alabama and Texas A&M. His signature is believed to have come with a high price tag.
His NIL valuation comes in at an estimated $1.5 million. The veteran lineman fills an area of need with his new team, meaning that asking price might’ve been higher.
Last season, the Gamecocks allowed 3.58 sacks per game. That ranked dead last in the SEC and 132nd in college football.
Peak was an All-ACC performer in Raleigh. He was expected to slide immediately into the starting lineup. His status for the upcoming season is now a concern.
Peak suffered an unspecified knee injury while playing in the Gamecocks’ 3-on-3 offseason basketball tournament. Beamer confirmed it in a recent press conference, though he did not expand upon the setback itself. He only stated that it was not “catastrophic,” likely ruling out some sort of ligament tear.
The coach did, however, provide a recovery timeline. Peak is expected to be back by September.
Shane Beamer does not accept blame.
Here’s #Gamecock HC Shane Beamer’s full injury update on prized OL transfer Jacarrius Peak:
“It’s not a catastrophic season-ending injury were it’s all doom and gloom… It was an unfortunate injury.” @abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/7zKbtNanuh
— Chaz R Frazier (@Chazf_tv) February 24, 2026
He has received criticism as Jacarrius Peak’s injury was suffered in a team-organized offseason activity. He responded to his critics this week.
“(It’s) the same 3-on-3 basketball tournament that we’ve had three years in a row now, that fortunately we haven’t had an injury in in three years,” he said while addressing the media.
“You can’t be, the last two years when the videos went out on social media, talking about how awesome it is that the Gamecocks and the football team have such as a strong culture and they play basketball together… then be the person that’s celebrating it the last two years and then this year, you’re up on the front porch screaming, ‘Why are they playing basketball?’
“And I get it, you open yourself up to criticism, but… I don’t think we’re the only football program in the country that has 18-to-21-year-old men that play basketball in the offseason…
“If they weren’t playing basketball in a 3-on-3 competition as a team in an organized setting, I have a hard time believing that they wouldn’t be playing basketball other places.
“So, it stinks and it’s unfortunate… but I also can’t just put these guys in bubble wrap and hide them in a closet down the hallway and bring them out on September 5th and be ready to play for Kent State.”
Shane Beamer was on edge in the presser. He has heard the criticism. He is not to blame for Jacarrius Peak’s injury, even if some fans want him to take responsibility.
The optics aren’t great, but at the end of the day, it’s simply an unfortunate circumstance. Luckily, it seems the Gamecocks will get their prized recruit back for the start of the season.