It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Blair, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a”
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was a great peace of mind. Care of those in need can be a heavy load on the family, and Always Best Care made everything run better in the household. Their care extended past those in need and helped the other family members provide better care. The experience was a breath of fresh air.”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for my mom. This service is no cost to the family. He spent quite some time getting my mom's preferences clarified and then searching for matching AL facilities. All of this was done in less than two days. He and I talked through the options and I relayed the two I felt were best to mom. Nate personally picked mom up from rehab and took her on those tours, which was a godsend because I live in another state. During both tours, he texted me "play by plays" as to how it was going. He helped me and mom choose the right place for her budget and needs - and was very patient with us as my mom took longer than expected to make the final decision. She was talking about needing a new TV and Nate provided her/us with a link to some that were on sale that met her needs. Once the decision was made, Nate accompanied the AL staff member to mom's rehab and sat through the entire long paperwork process to ensure mom understood what she was signing. Again, he kept me in the loop by texting me regularly about how things were going during the meeting. He checked in a couple of times after that and prior to mom's move asking how our prep was going and if we needed anything. On one call, I did ask for a referral to a specific service we needed. He didn't have an established one, so he researched it and got one for me promptly. During and shortly after moving day, Nate checked in again to see how mom was settling in. I've been amazed at the personalized engagement that we received from Nate. Anytime he said he would do something, he did it and he did it promptly. If anything was delayed, he updated me immediately. This is in stark contrast to Tara at Senior Care Authority that provides this service as well. She promised me things during our initial call and didn't follow through on most of them. During our text exchanges, she never answered my specific question - always danced around it. Within a handful of days, I said "nope!", researched more, and came across Nate and this service. Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air to receive what you asked for. I have no doubt it saved me countless hours glued to my computer, trying to compare facilities. I highly recommend Nate and his consulting service - it was an excellent experience and he was a lifesaver!”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services for any senior in need. Also, if you ever need a job, please go and apply. They are always hiring weekly and offer competitive rates.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over the past six months. Melisa and Nate have been wonderful and thanks for molding me into becoming a great leader. Professionalism is the key to success ????✨⭐️ I am looking forward to many years to come.”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with them for 3years Their caregivers are insightful and have so much compassion especially Mariah and Sabrina they are some of there champs they both have great personality and are very Professional. The owners are great and they run a great company.thank you for all that you guys do ????”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands Team ensured that I was well informed, and my loved one received the best care possible. The compassionate care was delivered not only by the care professionals, but by the support team. The owners even checked in with us to offer support and guidance. They exceeded our expectations!”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Blair Mill Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Blair Marina or visit Ft Blair Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Blair, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Blair, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Blair, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
It’s been less than a month since Clarksville offensive lineman Kamari Blair chose South Carolina over Tennessee and Ole Miss. He reversed course on his decision and flipped to Rocky Top because Tennessee just kept sticking in his mind.“I’m about as excited as I could be,” Blair said about his decision. “It’s been a fight between both schools for most of my recruitment now. I just think in the end I had to do what I had to do. I’m excited to play and get on campus.&ldqu...
It’s been less than a month since Clarksville offensive lineman Kamari Blair chose South Carolina over Tennessee and Ole Miss. He reversed course on his decision and flipped to Rocky Top because Tennessee just kept sticking in his mind.
“I’m about as excited as I could be,” Blair said about his decision. “It’s been a fight between both schools for most of my recruitment now. I just think in the end I had to do what I had to do. I’m excited to play and get on campus.
“Distance was a big reoccurring thing. Distance and being in my home state just keep feeling more like home.”
He has continued to talk with the Vols over the last month. They made him a priority even though he didn’t pick them initially and that left an impression.
“Just the constant FaceTime’s and letters and texts,” Blair said. “Just the openness.”
Volquest spoke with Blair about his flip before he even called to tell Tennessee. It was a phone call he was eager to make.
“I’m excited,” Blair said. “I mean, who wouldn’t be? Everyone is going to be happy. It’s going to be a good time.”
He has found offensive line coach Glen Elarbee to be very genuine.
“I like that he has been with coach Heup for ten years now,” Blair said. “He is a very honest dude throughout this whole thing. Like whatever he had to tell me was good or bad. Whether it hurt or helped his recruitment, he kept it honest.”
And telling Josh Heupel was easy. He loves the Vols head coach.
“He is very personable and easy to get along with,” Blair said. “He is a competitor. Like every time we played basketball or corn hole or anything like that, he just wanted to win. He doesn’t care about nothing else.”
The chance to play for the home state school was just something he couldn’t pass up in the end.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” Blake said. “I feel like I have more pride than playing 500 miles away in a different state. That’s not to knock South Carolina because
Blair and his Kirkwood team will kickoff their season Friday and he is glad to have this behind him.
“It’s important but I don’t think I let this stress of recruitment tie into football,” Blair said. “I just love to play the game but it’s a relief none the less.”
247Sports Embed ResourceSouth Carolina lost one of its commitments in the 2026 class on Thursday morning as four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair flipped his commitment to Tennessee.The 6-foot-5.5, 281-pound Blair had been commitment to South Carolina since July 16 when he chose the Gamecocks over the Volunteers.According to the 247Sports Composite, Blair is ranked as the No. 294 overall player in the country and the No. 27 offensive tackle. Coming out of Kirkwood High School in Clarksville, Tenn., he's t...
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South Carolina lost one of its commitments in the 2026 class on Thursday morning as four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair flipped his commitment to Tennessee.
The 6-foot-5.5, 281-pound Blair had been commitment to South Carolina since July 16 when he chose the Gamecocks over the Volunteers.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Blair is ranked as the No. 294 overall player in the country and the No. 27 offensive tackle. Coming out of Kirkwood High School in Clarksville, Tenn., he's tabbed as the No. 9 recruit.
With Blair's decommitment, the Gamecocks now have two offensive line pledges in the class in Zyon Guiles and Anthony Baxter. Five-star offensive lineman Darius Gray is set to announce his commitment on Friday.
Stay tuned to TheBigSpur for more coverage of South Carolina Gamecocks football recruiting
South Carolina suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday as it fell to Vanderbilt by a score of 31-7. The Gamecocks were forced move to its backup quarterback late in the second quarter due to injury against the Commodores.
With 1:47 left in the second quarter, LaNorris Sellers went down with an injury and did not return to the game. Luke Doty, who's in his sixth-year in the program, took over and was the Gamecocks' signal-caller for the rest of the game.
Against the Commodores, Doty completed 18-of-27 passes for 148 yards and an interception. On Sunday evening, Beamer detailed what he saw from Doty during his time on the field.
"I thought Luke was doing some good things operating the offense," Beamer said on his Sunday evening teleconference. "Certainly, he needs to be better. He will be the first to tell you that. But he did some really good stuff managing the offense, making calls, directing traffic, making throws."
RELATED: Beamer 'optimistic' about Sellers' outlook for Missouri | Going backwards 'is not a pattern I'm happy with,' says Beamer
When Doty entered the game with just under two minutes remaining in the half, the Gamecocks were on their own 41 after targeting was called on the hit to Sellers. Doty led the offense to the Commodores' 30-yard line, but a false start and two incompletions forced a 53-yard field goal by Mason Love which did not connect.
"I thought he did a good job," Beamer said on Doty's first drive. "That was the two-minute. Right before LaNorris got hurt, I was standing on the sidelines talking with Luke and LaNorris. Luke made a comment to me and LaNorris that, 'Man, this situation is easy compared to some of the situations that you put us in practice when we do the two-minute drill.' We always do two-minute on Sundays and Thursdays. I try and create really tough situations for the offense. …
"Little did I know, two plays later or one play later, Luke would be in there. Kind of the same thing. That was his belief that he's played a lot of football. He has great confidence in himself. I thought he did a nice job during that. The third down play, they played a coverage where we had the seam kind of coming open down the middle. We threw three verticals. He threw it up to give our guy a chance. … He took us down the field and gave us an opportunity to kick a field goal. Probably could have better there on second down and third down to make it a little bit easier on the kicker when he came out. Got us down there with an opportunity to score points and that's all you can ask."
With Sellers down, the Gamecocks had three scholarship quarterbacks to turn to in Doty, Air Noland and Cutter Woods. However, Beamer and the coaching staff felt it was best to stick with Doty late in the second half.
"Mike and I had some discussion about both backup quarterbacks, Cutter and Air both, in regards to potentially putting them in at some point as the game went," Beamer said. "Not necessarily because Luke was playing bad but just to get some other guys some experience. But, we didn't. I was confident that we were going to do down field, score a touchdown, get the two-point conversion and make it a two-score game. Almost returned a kickoff for a touchdown. We were a block away from returning that one all the way.
"Really felt confident about us being able to win the game in the fourth quarter. Felt like Luke gave us the best opportunity to do that as we got into the fourth quarter. Yes, we discussed it briefly. In order to win the game, felt like Luke gave us the best chance at that point."
In the second half with Doty under center, the Gamecocks totaled 159 yards with 133 coming through the air and 26 on the ground. The Gamecocks were held scoreless and finished the half with three turnovers.
"We had drives where we moved the ball but just didn't finish," Beamer said on the second half offense. "It's a fourth down that we got stopped on. It's another fourth down that we got stopped on. It's a pressure where they are bringing seven rushers, and we have six blockers and we've got to get rid of the ball. It's a pass that might just be a little off or a route that might just be a little off. We were moving it, but we have to finish. You have to be able to score points and you have to be able to finish in the red zone, especially against a team like Vanderbilt. I don't know if there is one thing necessarily that I just look at. Just too inconsistent."
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Tennessee received a 2026 football commitment on Thursday.Four-star offensive lineman Kamari Blair flipped his commitment from South Carolina to Tennessee. The 6-foot-6, 281-pound prospect is from Kirkwood High School in Clarksville, Tennessee.Tennessee has 23 commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tyreek King, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, linebacker Braylon Outlaw, defensive lineman CJ Edwards, defensive lineman Zach Groves, safety KJ McClain, safety Luke Thompson, defen...
Tennessee received a 2026 football commitment on Thursday.
Four-star offensive lineman Kamari Blair flipped his commitment from South Carolina to Tennessee. The 6-foot-6, 281-pound prospect is from Kirkwood High School in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Tennessee has 23 commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tyreek King, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, linebacker Braylon Outlaw, defensive lineman CJ Edwards, defensive lineman Zach Groves, safety KJ McClain, safety Luke Thompson, defensive end Kedric Golston II, offensive lineman Edward Baker, wide receiver Zaydyn Anderson, quarterback Legend Bey, defensive lineman Dereon Albert, linebacker TJ White, cornerback Jamyan Theodore, defensive lineman Darryl Rivers, wide receiver Javonte Smith, linebacker Brayden Rouse, safety Jowell Combay, offensive lineman JB Shabazz, athlete Joel Wyatt, athlete Salesi Moa and Blair.
Following Blair flipping his commitment to Tennessee from South Carolina, Vols Wire looks at Southeastern Conference recruiting rankings. Tennessee was ranked No. 7 and moved up one spot to sixth in SEC football recruiting rankings. The Vols moved ahead of Florida.
Updated 2026 football recruiting rankings for the SEC from Rivals are listed below.
Total commitments: 31
Score: 93.058
Average rating: 90.70
Average NIL: $176K
Total commitments: 21
Score: 92.483
Average rating: 90.45
Average NIL: $187K
Total commitments: 27
Score: 92.471
Average rating: 90.81
Average NIL: $98K
Total commitments: 21
Score: 92.231
Average rating: 91.14
Average NIL: $167K
Total commitments: 18
Score: 92.187
Average rating: 91.84
Average NIL: $173K
Total commitments: 23
Score: 91.000
Average rating: 89.96
Average NIL: $117K
Total commitments: 19
Score: 90.989
Average rating: 90.54
Average NIL: $102K
Total commitments: 14
Score: 89.358
Average rating: 89.77
Average NIL: $87K
Total commitments: 15
Score: 88.627
Average rating: 88.81
Average NIL: $61K
Total commitments: 17
Score: 88.477
Average rating: 88.48
Average NIL: $81K
Total commitments: 27
Score: 87.755
Average rating: 86.77
Average NIL: $22K
Total commitments: 12
Score: 87.433
Average rating: 88.63
Average NIL: $84K
Total commitments: 15
Score: 87.311
Average rating: 87.49
Average NIL: $30K
Total commitments: 18
Score: 87.222
Average rating: 87.09
Average NIL: $17.3K
Total commitments: 28
Score: 86.601
Average rating: 85.66
Average NIL: $12.9K
Total commitments: 10
Score: 84.944
Average rating: 87.39
Average NIL: $21K
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