Univ S Caro: 1% accepted with a gpa 2.5-2.99. That could be mostly recruited athletes.
You seriously need to be sure you understand his gpa using the trad scale of 4 for A, 3.7 for A-, 3.3 for B+, 3.0 for B, etc. There’s really little explaining rigor and sports affected performance. USC will have plenty of top applicants. 74% of admits sit at 3.75+. There’s tremendous interest in and loyalty to the college in the south.
Of course, he can apply. But be sure to have happy safeties. And be sure of what you can afford.