South Carolina Football – Impact Freshmen
By Jacob Elsey
OFF: Marshawn Lloyd, Jakai Moore
Lloyd comes to South Carolina with a legitimate chance at being the starting running back for the season opener against Coastal Carolina. He graduated early and enrolled in January. Rivals ranked Lloyd as the 33rd best prospect in the nation, regardless of position, as well as the third best running back in the 2020 recruiting class.
The Gamecocks lose their top three rushers from last season, which included Rico Dowdle, Tavien Feaster, and Mon Denson. They also lose Swiss Army knife AJ Turner, who saw action at running back, defensive back, and kick returner over his four-year career. Sophomores Kevin Harris (21/179/4) and Deshaun Fenwick (43/226/1) are the only returning backs with game experience, leaving the backfield very thin.
Joining Lloyd in the 2020 class are three-star back Rashad Amos and four-star JUCO transfer ZaQuandre White. There will be no shortage of competition, but Lloyd has a chance to be the best of the group. Check out this run from his senior year that topped SportCenter’s top plays list in October. Gamecock fans will hope for more of the same in 2020.
Moore took a redshirt season after joining the Gamecocks’ squad in the 2019 recruiting class. He was ranked as the 23rd best prospect in the state of Virginia after playing for Patriot High School in Nokesville. He chose the Gamecocks over offers from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Penn State, and others.
Although he redshirted, Moore did get an opportunity to play in three games for South Carolina, including starting at right tackle vs. Vanderbilt and Clemson. He projects to play at left tackle in 2020, now that it appears last year’s LT Sadarius Hutcherson is going to move inside to play guard. Moore will battle another newcomer, JUCO transfer Jaz Turnetine, but the valuable experience that Moore gained on the field last year could help him get the nod when the season begins.