South Carolina football: 5 key players on the Gamecocks’ offense
By Jacob Elsey
![COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Muse #9 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs after catching a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won 30-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Muse #9 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs after catching a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won 30-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9ad198d08ea74c73be555506ecfef3316c79e2f24ac25fa043ed63e594b429cb.jpg)
2. Kevin Harris
Harris was South Carolina’s workhorse last year, taking home the SEC’s regular season rushing crown. When all was said and done, the big bodied back ran for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns on 185 carries. He had five 100-yard performances, twice eclipsing the 200-yard mark. He could’ve had a sixth versus Auburn had a 75-yard run not been called back due to a phantom holding call.
Now, though, opponents are aware of what Harris can do, and if the passing game can’t get going, he may find tough sledding against stacked boxes. The offense will move as Harris does, as he appears to be a focal point once again. The staff will need to get create with how the use runner, and he could see an expanded role in the passing game in order to find more touches. Harris’s success will have a major impact on the offense.
3. Nick Muse
Muse is the Gamecocks’ leading returning receiver. The tight end tallied 30 catches for 425 yards and a score last season, and he’s looking to make the most of his final year in Columbia. The Gamecocks are searching for playmakers in the passing game, and Muse is the only returning pass catcher to record more than 200 receiving yards.
He was Luke Doty’s favorite target at the end of the year, notching 198 yards over his final two contests. South Carolina is hoping that chemistry will continue in 2021. A reliable option in the passing game should help open up the rushing attack, too.