South Carolina Football: Freshmen Most Likely to Earn Starting Roles
By Jacob Elsey
The South Carolina football program finished with the 17th ranked recruiting class when signing day wrapped up in February. Which players will make an instant impact in 2020?
Last year, the Gamecocks started true freshman in some key spots, including quarterback Ryan Hilinski, who started the final 11 games following a season-ending injury to senior Jake Bentley. Hilinski took his lumps, but also showed poise in games against Alabama and Georgia. He’ll certainly benefit from the experience as he looks to hold onto the starting job heading into ’20.
There were also names like Xavier Legette, Jammie Robinson, and Zacch Pickens that jumped into the starting lineup at one point or another in their first season on campus. Pickens and Robinson both earned all-conference accolades last year as day one contributors, while Legette slowly worked his way into the wide receiver rotation.
Those guys have now moved on to their second year in the program, making room for the incoming class. Who will be the next group of first-year players to make an impact?
MARSHAWN LLOYD (RB)
Many around that Gamecock program believe that MarShawn Lloyd will get the nod as the opening day starter at running back when September 5th rolls around. The freshman was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star talent, and the nation’s 33rd best player regardless of position. He chose South Carolina over offers from Clemson, Georgia, Penn State, Maryland, and many more.
He’ll have all the opportunity in the world as the Gamecocks lose their top three rushers from a year ago in Rico Dowdle, Tavien Feaster, and Mon Denson. Gone, too, is former starting tailback AJ Turner, who flipped to the defensive side of the ball last year to add depth in the secondary.
That leaves a ton of inexperience in the Carolina backfield. Lloyd will battle fellow freshman Rashad Amos, and sophomores Kevin Harris and Deshaun Fenwick for the starting job. The Gamecocks are hoping to add JUCO transfer Za’Quandre White before the start on Fall practice, too.
With so much inexperience and uncertainty in the running back room, it’s hard to see a scenario where Lloyd isn’t among the top few candidates for that starting role.
JORDAN BURCH (DL)
Jordan Burch was the prized recruit of South Carolina’s 2020 class. He was ranked by ESPN as a five-star player and the fourth best prospect in the nation. The hometown product chose the Gamecocks over LSU, Georgia, and Clemson.
He will join a defensive line that graduates three senior contributors. Will Muschamp has specifically mentioned Burch’s name when discussing the team’s BUCK position, which is a hybrid end/linebacker role that has the ability to move around the front four. Last year’s starter at BUCK, DJ Wonnum, is off to the NFL after being selected in the fourth round by the Vikings, so there will be an open spot available.
There are two older players whom Burch will battle on the depth chart. Redshirt junior Brad Johnson returns after recovering from a midseason injury that kept him out of eight games last year. Redshirt freshman Rodricus Fitten also returns after sitting out the ’19 season.
Those two may have an advantage in experience, but Burch may be the most talented of the bunch when he steps foot on campus this Fall. Look for him to be a major player along the Carolina front four.
MIKE WYMAN (WR)
An already thin receiving corps took a hit with the departure of all-time leading receiver Bryan Edwards. Edwards was a third-round pick for the Raiders in April, and leaves a huge hole in the Gamecock offense.
Mike Wyman, a 6’2” freshman, could step in and earn a spot in the starting rotation if he’s able to pick up the offense quickly. He enrolled to South Carolina early, though the Coronavirus halted spring practice. Still, he may have a leg up on the other receiving prospects in the ’20 class, and any advantage is crucial when thinking about early playing time.
Wyman ranked as the nation’s 223rd best player, and 37th best receiving prospect according to ESPN. He chose the Gamecocks over offers from Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and more. Assuming Shi Smith earns the role of lead receiver, Wyman will to battle OrTre Smith, Dakereon Joyner, Xavier Legette, Josh Vann, TyQuan Johnson, Randrecous Davis, and Chad Terrell for a chance at the No. 2 spot.
MOHAMED KABA (LB)
Four-year starter TJ Brunson is off to the NFL after being a seventh-round selection for the NY Giants, so Will Muschamp will need to find a replacement in the middle of the Gamecock defense. Mohamed Kaba could be that player.
The North Carolina native was rated by 247Sports as the 236th best player in the country, and the 13th best inside linebacker prospect. He’ll have to battle senior Sherrod Greene and sophomore Jahmar Brown. Both saw significant action last year, and Greene may be the frontrunner for the starting job, but it’s a long season and things can change quickly. Greene should know that as he didn’t earn the starting job until midway through last season.
Kaba may be facing an uphill battle, but he’s certainly got the talent to line up alongside MIKE linebacker Ernest Jones in the middle of that defensive unit.