A look at Gamecocks’ potential depth chart after spring football game | South Carolina

COLUMBIA — There have been starters who have been injured and did not play in South Carolina’s spring soccer sport final week. And for the reason that sport, six Gamecocks have entered the NCAA switch portal. There could also be extra to depart and extra gamers added by way of the portal.

The season remains to be 4 and a half months away, however followers are already questioning which Gamecocks will play the place and the way usually when Georgia State rolls into Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 3. After watching the rotations and lineups within the spring sport, this is a presumed depth chart exiting spring and coming into summer season:

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT: Jaylen Nichols (Jakai Moore)

LG: Vershon Lee (Trai Jones)

C: Eric Douglas (Hank Manos)

RG: Jovaughn Gwyn (Colin Henrich)

RT: Dylan Wonnum (Tyshawn Wannamaker)

Wannamaker began the spring sport at proper deal with as a result of Wonnum was out all spring therapeutic his again, which additionally value him the ultimate seven video games final 12 months. It’s laborious to think about a person who has began 30 video games at proper deal with received’t resume his spot as soon as he’s cleared to apply, but when Wonnum is held up, Wannamaker would begin with Jazston Turnetine behind him.

Jones’ versatility and talent to play fullback may additionally have an effect on the rotation at left guard.

QUARTERBACK

Spencer Rattler (Luke Doty)

No query right here, as Rattler took the job from the second he stepped on campus. Doty is absolutely recovered from his foot damage that hampered him final 12 months and needs to be the stable backup, however ready within the wings can be redshirt freshman Colten Gauthier and true freshman Braden Davis.

RUNNING BACK

MarShawn Lloyd (Christian Beal-Smith)

Fully healed and searching like he was earlier than his 2020 ACL damage, Lloyd ought to start his third 12 months in this system as the highest operating again. Beal-Smith, the switch from Wake Forest, needs to be the No. 2.

Rashad Amos, additionally in his third 12 months, would in all probability be the No. 3 operating again choice. However Juju McDowell, invaluable as a speedy change-of-pace again who may also line up at slot receiver, could play into these plans.

WIDE RECEIVER

Josh Vann, Juice Wells, Dakereon Joyner (Xavier Legette, Ahmarean Brown, Corey Rucker)

Vann proved what he may do final 12 months and would be the No. 1 goal. Wells was on campus for spring and carried out properly after transferring from James Madison.  Joyner, after selflessly working so laborious over his profession after which successful MVP of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at quarterback, stands to retain his spot.

Brown earned extra enjoying time together with his bowl efficiency and Legette is seeking to take the identical leap that Vann did final 12 months. Rucker, the switch from Arkansas State, will arrive this summer season.

The sobering information is whereas the Gamecocks are gifted at receiver, they don’t have a real stretch-the-field goal, even to make use of as a decoy (E.J. Jenkins transferring eliminated that chance, as distant because it was). Not one of the listed receivers are taller than 6-foot-1, and though two receivers are coming (6-1 Landon Samson and 6-3 Kylic Horton), they weren’t in a position to undergo spring.

TIGHT END

Jaheim Bell (Traevon Kenion)

Austin Stogner (Chad Terrell)

Double starters listed because of the Gamecocks’ love of the 2 tight finish set. Bell missed practically all of spring with a hamstring damage however his NFL pedigree can be groomed this season. Stogner was additionally not in spring ball however his Oklahoma tape will observe him from Norman, with coach Shane Beamer already absolutely conscious of what he can do.

Kenion was in a position to refine his sport through the spring and earned extra enjoying time, as did Terrell, who realized a brand new place via spring and caught a landing within the spring sport.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Edge: Jordan Burch, Jordan Strachan (Gilber Edmond, Tyreek Johnson)

Sort out: Zacch Pickens, Boogie Huntley (Tonka Hemingway, T.J. Sanders)

Terrell Dawkins transferred in from N.C. State and was considered a key backup at Edge, however is lumped into the group of backups with no actual particular Nos. 3-4.

At deal with, Hemingway has the expertise and Sanders has been raved about by the teaching workers, which may place him above a extra veteran participant like M.J. Webb or Rick Sandidge. Sandidge has performed a number of soccer at USC however missed the complete season final 12 months with a leg damage, and will wrestle to get again into kind, a lot much less beat out Pickens or Huntley.

LINEBACKER

Brad Johnson (Mo Kaba)

Sherrod Greene (Debo Williams)

Johnson had a fantastic season in 2021 and returned, which stabilizes a unit that misplaced Damani Staley, who had an incredible 12 months. Greene, after lacking a lot of the previous two years with accidents, is wholesome and performed in spring.

Kaba had a terrific spring and will problem for enjoying time, particularly if Greene has to get again into full sport form.

NICKEL

Cam Smith (David Spaulding)

Smith enjoying nickel after being among the best cornerbacks within the nation final 12 months raised some eyebrows, however he performed so properly that Beamer was questioning why he didn’t do it sooner. It stands that Smith will retain that spot after enjoying all of it spring (Spaulding was down with an damage), however nonetheless be out there to play nook if wanted.

CORNERBACK

Marcellas Dial (O’Donnell Fortune)

Darius Rush (La’Dareyen Craig)

Rush grew to become a stable SEC nook final 12 months when thrust into motion and Dial, enjoying backup at every spot, additionally progressed. Fortune performed in eight video games in 2021 and appeared like he had a agency grasp of the performs and particulars through the spring sport.

USC loaded up on defensive backs within the offseason and a few of these rookies could get an opportunity. A lot of that depends upon how a lot growing they will do as soon as they’ve a full offseason below their belts and the way a lot USC must have Smith at nickel.

SAFETY

R.J. Roderick (Tyrese Ross)

Devonni Reed (B.J. Gibson)

Gibson is a walk-on however performed rather a lot within the spring sport, together with walk-on King-Demenian Ford. Ross has to indicate he’s again to the shape he confirmed at Washington State that received USC’s consideration earlier than final 12 months, but when not, it is a spot the place a freshman may blossom. Anthony Rose, a extremely regarded member of the recruiting class, may present up.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: Mitch Jeter (Alex Herrera)

P: Kai Kroeger (William Joyce)

LS: Matthew Bailey

H: Kai Kroeger

PR: Josh Vann (Ahmarean Brown)

KR: Juju McDowell (Xavier Legette)

Jeter and Herrera have been the co-No. 1s via spring apply however Jeter appeared to have a bit stronger leg in spring, and he’s on scholarship whereas Herrera is a walk-on.