Freshman defender tore ACL in South Carolina’s latest scrimmage, Shane Beamer says

The Gamecocks will be without one of their young defensive backs after USC football’s second team scrimmage of the spring.

Redshirt freshman defensive back Zahbari Sandy tore an ACL in the scrimmage, South Carolina football head coach Shane Beamer said Tuesday in his weekly spring practice press conference.

Sandy saw limited action last season, making appearance against Furman and Georgia in Week 2 and 3 but didn’t record any statistics. He joined the Gamecocks in August after graduating from St. John’s College in Washington, D.C.

“He was engaged with a receiver that was blocking and it kind of gave out on him,” Beamer said. “I hate that for him. I told him on Saturday night when I talked with him, he’s going to be a really good player for us. He’s still young. He’ll be back as soon as possible.”

An ACL tear typically takes at least six to nine months to recover from. Could Sandy return for the 2024 season?

“I would say that’s doubtful,” Beamer said. “Hopeful, not optimistic.”

Sandy was named the fifth-best player in D.C. and the 69th best cornerback in the U.S. during his high school recruitment.

The Gamecocks’ annual spring game is 7 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.