South Carolina football: 5 key players on the Gamecocks’ offense

Which players will have the biggest impact on South Carolina football?

Shane Beamer and the South Carolina football team are in the midst of Summer, working through the offseason as they prepare for the upcoming year. That campaign will kick off in less than two months with a September 4th meeting versus Eastern Illinois. The coaching staff is still trying to figure out position battles and install new offensive and defensive schemes, but there are already a few players that the Gamecock know will be vital to the team’s success.

Today, we’re looking at the offense. Coordinator Marcus Satterfield is working to improve a unit that finished 99th in the country in scoring last season. He inherits a group that’s young under center, possesses a potent run game, and is still searching for answers at receiver.

Let’s take a look at five players on the offense coach Satterfield and the Gamecocks will be relying on heavily to make an impact this Fall.

1. Luke Doty

This is obvious. The quarterback position is the most important one on the field, and it’s an area where the Gamecocks don’t have much SEC experience. Doty started the last two contests of 2020, relieving Collin Hill of his duties late in the season. In that stint, the freshman completed 43-of-71 attempts for 405 yards and two scores. The passer also tossed three interceptions, and rushed for a total of 91 yards.

The coaching staff is looking for Doty to take a major step forward next season, as he’s set to retain his starting duties in 2021. A talented runner, he could provide the offense with a second option in the rushing attack, a luxury the Gamecocks didn’t have with Hill under center last year, but the team needs him to step up as a passer for the offense to run smoothly. South Carolina was one dimensional last season. Coaches are hoping that Doty can change that next season.