South Carolina football: 3 questions for the special teams unit

The South Carolina football season is getting closer, and there are questions and battles at each position ahead of the season’s start. Here, we focus on the special teams unit.

The Gamecocks’ season opener is set to be played on September 26th, though the opponent is not yet known. As the 10-game campaign creeps closer, South Carolina has just a little bit longer to answer unknown questions, sort through position battles, and get prepared for game one.

Let’s focus on three questions that face the South Carolina special teams unit ahead of 2020.

1. HOW DO THE GAMECOCKS REPLACE JOSEPH CHARLTON?

Joseph Charlton is the Gamecocks’ all-time leading punter, holding both the first and second place marks for single-season punting average. Last season, the senior finished second nationally, averaging nearly 48 yards a punt, before moving on to the NFL.

Now, South Carolina is tasked with finding his replacement. On the roster is redshirt senior Christian Kinsley, a transfer from Kennesaw State. He started for two seasons with the Owls, and now looks to close out his career in Columbia. He’s averaged over 40 yards per punt, with a career-long of 61.

The Gamecocks also bring in Kai Kroger, one of the nation’s top high school punting prospects from a year ago. He and Kinsley will battle it out for the starting duties.

2. CAN PARKER WHITE KEEP HIS CONSISTENCY?

Over the past two seasons, White has converted on 81% of his attempted field goals. That consistency earned him a nomination to the Lou Groza preseason watchlist. Can he keep it up in his senior year?

As a freshman, White struggled, making just 56% of his 25 attempts, but he righted the ship, going an impressive 31-for-38 since. Inside of 40 yards, he’s been even more deadly, converting over 91% of the time.

Over his three-year career, White has notched five game-winning field goals, and the Gamecocks may need him to help pull out some close victories in 2020. Consistency will be key for White, and South Carolina, as there aren’t many proven options behind him on the roster.

3. WHO STEPS IN AS RETURN MAN?

Bryan Edwards is gone, meaning the Gamecocks not only need to find a new receiver, but also must find his replacement as punt returner. Who steps up?

The frontrunners are probably Shi Smith, who also handles kickoff duties, Xavier Legette, and Josh Vann. All have experience fielding the position. A couple of other names that may be thrown in with this group are newcomer ZaQuandre White and defender Jammie Robinson.

White returned both punts and kicks for Iowa Western Community College last year, while Robinson saw some action fielding kickoffs, and may be asked to do a little more as he enters his sophomore season.

A player from this group will likely return kickoffs, too. Smith fielded 12 of the Gamecocks’ 21 kicks a year ago, recording a long of 60 yards. Legette also had some success, averaging more than 28 yards on his four returns in 2019. They’ll get the first look again next year.