Three Gamecocks Recognized by Phil Steele

June 1, 2015

Three University of South Carolina football players have been recognized on Phil Steele’s preseason teams, it was announced today.

Junior wide receiver Pharoh Cooper earned a spots on Steele’s first-team All-SEC squad and was a third-team preseason All-American. Cooper, a 5-11, 208-pounder from Havelock, N.C., garnered first-team All-SEC honors a year ago after finishing third in the conference in receptions with 69, and second in receiving yards with 1,136. A member of the 2014 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, Cooper looks to extend the Gamecocks’ streak of a first-team All-American to seven-consecutive years, following Eric Norwood (2009), Alshon Jeffery (2010), Melvin Ingram (2011), Jadevon Clowney (2012 and ’13), Kelcy Quarles (2013) and A.J. Cann (2014).

Fifth-year senior offensive tackle Brandon Shell garnered preseason third-team All-SEC honors by Steele. Shell, a 6-6, 327-pounder from Goose Creek, S.C., has made 36 career starts over the past three seasons, the most on the squad, including a streak of 35 consecutive starts. A two-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, Shell looks to be at full strength this fall after sitting out the spring following shoulder surgery.

Junior linebacker Skai Moore was named to Steele’s preseason fourth-team All-SEC unit. Moore, a 6-2, 218-pounder from Cooper City, Fla., has led Carolina in tackles in each of the last two years, becoming the first player to lead the team in back-to-back seasons since Emanuel Cook in 2007 and ’08. In 25 games including 13 starts, Moore has registered 149 tackles and seven interceptions.

The Gamecocks will open the 2015 season against North Carolina in Charlotte on Thursday, September 3. Tickets to that contest are on sale now.