Bam Martin-Scott

* 2024 Most Improved Player of the Spring – Defense

Linebacker who returns for his sixth year and his fourth at South Carolina after starting his career at Dodge City (Kan.) C.C… versatile player who is long and athletic… rangy and instinctive player who can blitz and cover… expected to play more of role this season after making tremendous strides a year ago… has appeared in 27 career games for the Garnet & Black with three starts… recognized as the Most Improved Player of the Spring for the defense at the Garnet & Black Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Senior)

Appeared in 10 contests making three starts… played in just one of the first three games… saw his playing time increase as the season progressed and the Gamecocks moved into more of a 3-3-5 defensive set rather than their base 4-2-5… started each of the final three games, his first starts at Carolina… credited with 38 tackles including 32 over the final four games… logged 4.0 tackles for loss with a pair of sacks, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup… posted a career-best 13 tackles in the win over Vanderbilt, including a sack… had never registered more than four tackles in a game prior to that performance… logged 10 tackles with a tackle for loss versus Clemson.

2022 (Reshirt Junior)

Appeared in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams… credited with 16 tackles including 10 solo stops… had an interception and three pass breakups… notched his lone tackle for loss against Georgia… recorded his first interception in the win over South Carolina State… posted a career-high four tackles and forced his first career fumble at Florida.

2021 (Junior)

Joined the team in August after spending two years at Dodge City (Kan.) C.C… appeared in four games on special teams… saw action against Kentucky, Texas A&M, Auburn and Clemson… did not record any statistics… redshirted.

2020 (Sophomore)

Spent his second year at Dodge City (Kan.) C.C… the Conquistadors did not play in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19.

2019 (Freshman)

Earned honorable mention all-KJCCC honors at Dodge City (Kan.) C.C… coached by Ricky Coon.

HIGH SCHOOL

Graduated from Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. in 2019… a late bloomer who did not get much playing time in high school until his senior season.

PERSONAL

Tavareon M. Martin-Scott was born July 4, 2000… earned the nickname “Bam” as a reference to the fireworks customary on his birthday… graduated in May 2023 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.