Good morning. Despite a narrow 24-23 Wild Card loss by the L.A. Rams to the Detroit Lions, former Gamecock Ernest Jones had a game that reflected his immense talent. The linebacker logged nine tackles, one for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. Overall, he had 145 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and six defended passes in 15 games this season.

Scroll down 👇🏼 to see which five former Gamecocks are still in the playoffs.

What else is mixed into today’s Brew? ⤵️

🏀 On3’s Chris Wellbaum says Ashlyn Watkins has "superpower"
⚾️ Gamecocks were one of eight SEC teams in the top 25 in preseason poll
🤙 And much, much more

🎥 GAMECOCKS+

A new episode! Ch 3 of Changing Expectations—a docuseries taking an inside look at men’s basketball—drops on Thursday.

👉 Sign up for the Gamecocks+ TRUST Bundle, and you’ll get access to Gamecocks+, the Gamecock Club, and support the Garnet Trust all at once!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Wild Card Winning Hands. Five former Gamecocks remain in the fight in the upcoming NFL playoff games—Keisean Nixon (CB/KR, Green Bay Packers), Kingsley Enagbare (LB/Green Bay Packers), Javon Kinlaw (DT, San Francisco 49ers), Deebo Samuel (WR, San Francisco 49ers), and Jadeveon Clowney (LB, Baltimore Ravens). While Kinlaw, Samuel, and Clowney had bye weeks and Enagbare recently suffered an ACL tear, Nixon managed 11 tackles, one for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and two defended passes in a 48-32 NFC Wild Card win over Dallas.

Head to the Post and Courier for more on the stats from these Gamecocks.

🔼 Case in Point(s). ICYMI—WBB’s Ashlyn Watkins had another rim-rattling stuff against Kentucky on Monday night. As on3’s Chris Wellbaum writes, “Off the court, getting Ashlyn Watkins to show emotion is a losing battle. To wit: after Watkins became the first player in program history to dunk in a game with a stuff against Clemson last season, she was more excited that she had made a three-pointer.”

“It’s just something that I usually do, and I had an opportunity to do it in a college game,” Watkins said. 

Read more about Wellbaum’s take on Watkins’ “superpowers.”

🔼 Straight SEC Reppin’. The University of South Carolina baseball team was ranked No. 25 in the D1Baseball.com preseason Top-25 poll.

The Gamecocks were one of eight SEC teams in the top 25. This is Carolina’s second preseason ranking heading into the 2024 season. The Gamecocks are No. 13 in Perfect Game’s preseason poll.

The Gamecocks open the 2024 season on Friday, Feb. 16, as they host Miami (Ohio) at Founders Park. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

🤔 GAMECOCK TRIVIA

Now That’s Random. With Keisean Nixon continuing the rep the Gamecocks in Saturday’s NFL playoff game as the Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers, today’s trivia turns to Nixon’s background.

Which famous rapper did Nixon play for you in a youth league?

Got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the right answer!

📬 STICK WITH US

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📬 A LOOK AHEAD

Friday 1/19 - Saturday 1/20

🏃 Track & Field @ the Carolina Challenge (Columbia, SC)

Saturday 1/20

🏃 Track & Field @ the New Balance Collegiate Showdown (Boston, MA)

🏊 Swimming & Diving vs. Duke @ 11:00am ET

🏊 Swimming & Diving (Women Only) vs. UNC Asheville @ 11:00am ET

🏀 Men’s Basketball @ Arkansas @ 1:00pm ET on SEC Network

Sunday 1/21

🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Coastal Carolina @ 12:00pm ET | Live Stats

🎾 Men’s Tennis @ Virginia @ 1:00pm ET | Live Stats

🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Presbyterian @ 4:00pm ET | Live Stats

🏀 Women’s Basketball @ Texas A&M @ 5:00pm ET on SEC Network

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Snoop Dogg!

It was a Pop-Warner-aged conference in California.

Keisean Nixon spent two seasons with the Gamecocks, recording 71 tackles and two interceptions during his career.

🤙 Have a good Wednesday, y’all.