Sanchez Joins Gamecocks Amid SEC Scrutiny | Columbia News

South Carolina just added fifth-year kicker Ethan Sanchez, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist from Houston, after clearing all SEC and university protocols — he never signed an NFL contract, just attended a 49ers minicamp. Coach Beamer confirmed no players were cut for the move, and Sanchez will sit out this weekend against Kent State, with sophomore Max Kelley stepping in. The addition, following Ethan Johnson, fuels debate around the new NCAA ruling allowing 2022 grads a fifth year — but Beamer sees it as a boost for the team, emphasizing that competition, not politics, should decide who kicks. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/169602285ab32a70