With 36 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2025 season, a look back at No. 36, DJ Swearinger

South Carolina football will open its 2025 season on August 31st, facing the Virginia Tech Hokies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff just 36 days away.

The No. 36 jersey is most famously associated with DJ Swearinger, an All-American safety known for his fierce playing style and leadership. Swearinger was a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the Gamecocks' top defenses from 2010-2012, serving as the heart and soul of those units.

A key member of the 2009 recruiting class alongside players like Stephon Gilmore and Alshon Jeffery, Swearinger helped elevate South Carolina's status in the SEC. He became a starter as a sophomore and finished second in tackles for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons, leading the team in pass breakups in 2012. As a team captain, he led the Gamecocks to an SEC East Championship and consecutive 11-win seasons, earning recognition for instilling a winning mindset in teammates.

Swearinger never lost to rival Clemson and defeated Tennessee in all three matchups as a starter. He was part of the historic 2010 team that beat Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida in the same season for the first time in program history. Known for nicknames centered on "swag," his aggressive style—feared by receivers and runners like Clemson's Andre Ellington—defined his legacy.