South Carolina football: knowns, unknowns for the offense in 2021
By Jacob Elsey
UNKNOWNS
Who steps up at wideout?
This was easily the most disappointing position group on the offense last year. Outside of Shi Smith, Gamecock wide receivers did very little. Xavier Legette seemed to be a focal point at the beginning of the season, but fell off after the Florida game. Jalen Brooks, Dakereon Joyner, and Rico Powers all showed flashes, but none was consistent enough to remain on the field for extended periods of time.
There is some help on the way, as the team brings in record-setting Georgia Tech transfer Ahmarean Brown and 6-foot-7 pass catcher EJ Jenkins. They’ll also get Randrecous Davis and OrTre Smith back following their opt outs last year. The potential is here, but the group is unproven.
Quarterback competition?
The Gamecocks saw a similar situation last year, when incumbent Ryan Hilinski battled incoming transfer Collin Hill for the starting role, while freshman Luke Doty sat in the wings. Now, Doty is the incumbent, and will go up against transfer Jason Brown and freshman Colten Gauthier to win the starting role.
Doty had highs and lows in 2020, and certainly experienced some growing pains as a true freshman. Still, he may be the most athletic and talented member of the bunch. Brown was a Division II All-American that rewrote the record books at St. Francis University in Pennsylvania, while Gauthier is a four-star recruit out of Georgia.
The position is up for grabs. Who will take the reins?
What does the playbook look like?
With a new offensive coaching staff comes a new offensive scheme. Marcus Satterfield and Shane Beamer will look to bring an exciting brand of football to Columbia after what was a not-so-well oiled machine over the Will Muschamp era.
Beamer brings experience from pro style offenses (UGA) as well as concepts from air raid units (Oklahoma). He’ll try to blend those concepts learned under Sooner head coach Lincoln Riley with Satterfield’s vision, one that has been molded by Carolina Panther staffers Joe Brady and Matt Rhule.
Obviously, the running game will be of high emphasis, but the key will be exploiting opposing defenses with mismatches in the passing game. If receivers are able to find a little bit of space, good things could arise for South Carolina in 2021.