South Carolina Gamecocks: Who Will Replace Kai Kroeger as Holder in 2025?
As the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare for the 2025 football season, one overlooked but critical position remains uncertain: the kick holder.
In past seasons, Kai Kroeger, who also served as punter, was considered elite in his holding duties — a subtle but vital role in successful special teams execution. According to head coach Shane Beamer, Kroeger was more than reliable; he was elite. Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, with over 30 years of NFL coaching experience, even ranked him among the top three holders he’s ever worked with. His calm hands and quick reaction made him a standout, not just for catching and placing the ball accurately, but for doing so under pressure — a skill crucial to a kicker’s timing and rhythm.
Now that Kroeger has moved on, South Carolina must find a capable replacement. One option being explored is true freshman quarterback Cutter Woods. Despite never having held before, Woods has taken on the challenge and impressed the coaching staff with how naturally he’s adapted to the task. However, his role as a quarterback presents challenges. Because he’s regularly involved in quarterback drills, he has less time to practice the precise techniques required for holding — a potential setback in his development.
Additionally, there’s the question of whether the Gamecocks would use one of Woods’ four eligible seasons just for him to serve as a holder — particularly if they intend to redshirt him. Coach Beamer has long emphasized the importance of special teams, so the idea is not out of the question.
If not Woods, then the likely candidate may come from within the specialists group. Other possible holders include Mason Love, William Joyce, Peyton Argent, and Max Kelley — all kickers themselves. The main issue here is that a player cannot serve as both kicker and holder at the same time, meaning South Carolina needs to determine its starting placekicker first before finalizing the holder.
Joyce, who has filled in as holder in the past, noted that holding is more technical than many people realize. Kickers often have specific preferences for how the ball is angled — it’s not simply about holding it upright. A properly held football can significantly improve a team’s field-goal percentage.
With both the long-snapper and holder roles needing replacements this year, South Carolina’s special teams unit is in transition. The Gamecocks may not know who their next holder will be just yet, but they understand how crucial it is to get it right — especially with high expectations heading into the 2025 season.