Former Putnam County football player Gerald Kilgore has found his next college home at South Carolina.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound defensive back will enroll at South Carolina next semester with three years of eligibility remaining after redshirting and playing just one season at Tennessee Tech.
Kilgore will be reunited with his younger brother, Jalon, in South Carolina after having previously played alongside each other their entire lives. Kilgore chose the Gamecocks over West Virginia and Florida Atlantic University and told The Eatonton Messenger it was not an easy decision.
“All three schools were definitely in the running, especially West Virginia. I enjoyed myself there,” Kilgore said. “Establishing a relationship with South Carolina wasn’t too hard. Knowing the type of guys (head coach Shane Beamer and coach Torrian Gray) they are at South Carolina, how they treated Jalon and our entire family. Of course, those things were in play.
“After taking all of the visits, I sat down with my parents and took the time to pray. I was just asking God what the best move and place was. It wasn’t all South Carolina. This was a fun process, but it was also stressful.”
Kilgore started at quarterback for Putnam County but also played in the War Eagle’s defensive backfield.
He transitioned to defense and played the past two years in the secondary for Tennessee Tech.
Kilgore finished the 2023 season with 37.0 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a redshirt freshman. He moved on from Tennessee Tech soon after head coach Dewayne Alexander was let go last month.
“I appreciate my time at Tennessee Tech,” Kilgore said. “I wouldn’t be where I was without them.”
Kilgore will join a talented defensive backs room in 2024 at South Carolina. Jalon Kilgore, DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori are all set to return for the Gamecocks under Gray’s leadership.
According to Kilgore, he is going in with a positive attitude after having silenced his doubters.
“I’m not scared or questioning anything about this decision,” Kilgore said. “My main thing is what I’ve done in the past is (prove) myself. I’ve proved myself to a lot of people, whether that be at quarterback or safety. It’s been this entire process. I’ve had to prove myself during my entire recruiting process.
“Going into this and having chosen South Carolina, I know once again it’s another opportunity to show I belong. So far, I’ve been doing great at that, and I have succeeded at places people thought they wouldn’t think I would. I’m going in with a real strong mindset.”
Kilgore will be transitioning from the FCS level to college football’s highest form of competition in the SEC. He knows there will be some adjustments but feels ready for the challenge ahead.
“I know that my work ethic and attention to detail is key,” Kilgore said. “I’ll be paying more attention and learning from Coach Gray, Coach Beamer, and all the other position coaches. It will help me because I think I am a smart guy and think highly of myself, my talent, and my skills. I don’t think it will be a problem. I believe in myself, but I know there will be a learning curve.”
While Kilgore’s relationship with Beamer and Gray was among the reasons he chose to play for the Gamecocks, he said getting to play with his brother was another selling point.
At one point, Kilgore said he didn’t know if he was ever going to play on the same team as his younger brother again. Now, the pair will get to play together for the next two or three years in Columbia, SC.
“It was always a thought. Nothing too serious because we never knew how things would work out,” Kilgore said. “It’s a really exciting moment for me. Coming in, Jalon is going to be pushing me and I am going to push him. Just being around that atmosphere, I know things are going to work out.”