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

4. Jaheim Bell

Bell could be a wildcard this year, as the coaches have already talked about moving the tight end all over the field. In the Gamecocks’ Spring Game earlier this offseason, he was used at running back, fullback, and end. The utilityman hauled in one catch for seven yards, rushed for 42 yards on six carries, and found the endzone as a fullback in a goal line situation.

Bell came into the offseason as a relative unknown, but he could see a larger role in his sophomore year. If the South Carolina coaching staff can find ways to create mismatches for Bell on the offensive side of the ball, the offense could find themselves with an unexpected playmaker in the passing game.

5. Joyner/Brown/Smith/Legette/Brooks/Vann/Jenkins

While the Gamecocks are pretty deep at tight end, the wide receiving corps is extremely unproven. The coaches are looking for someone to step up into that No. 1 role, but it’s yet to be determined who that will be.

Dakereon Joyner, Xavier Legette, Jalen Brooks, and Josh Vann return after subpar seasons. All three have shown flashes but none has quite put it all together on the field. Legette started the year on a high note, and he returns as the Gamecocks leading receiver at the position (113 yards). Unfortunately, an injury derailed his season after game three.

Joyner had big games against Kentucky and Vanderbilt, but disappeared in others, while Brooks had trouble hanging on the passes. Josh Vann returns as the most experienced of the group, with 47 career catches and 377 yards.

OrTre Smith returns after opting out of last season. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher had a breakout freshman season, but a genetic knee injury has slowed his progress. The coaching staff is hoping that he returns to form in 2021.

Then, there are two transfers. Ahmarean Brown comes from Georgia Tech, where he set program records as a freshman. In 19 total contests, the wideout has compiled 579 yards and nine scores on 32 career receptions. He’s got big play ability, and could help the Gamecocks stretch the field with his 18.1 career yard per catch average.

Jenkins hails from FCS program St. Francis, where he set program records for touchdowns and averaged 20 yards per reception in 2019. He transferred to South Carolina when St. Francis announced that they’d be cancelling their 2020 season.

The Gamecocks need one of these players to step up. Which will it be?