South Carolina football: ranking each position group

Ranking South Carolina football’s position groups

WR

The Gamecocks are deep at wideout, but are very unproven. No returning wide receiver eclipsed 115 receiving yards in 2020, and senior Shi Smith accounted for nearly 60% of the receptions made by Carolina wideouts last season. Smith hauled in 57 passes while the team’s remaining receivers combined for just 40. He’s now off to the NFL, though, leaving the Gamecocks searching for a No. 1 option. Who will step up?

There are a few options. Dakereon Joyner showed flashes in his first full season at the position, accounting for 55 receiving yards and 61 rushing yards. Also back are Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks, who both tallied double-digit catches. Vann, a senior, desperately needs to step up. Brooks has shown the ability to create separation with his speed, but he’s had trouble hanging onto the football.

South Carolina will hope to get a big boost from some new additions, too. Ahmarean Brown could be a day one starter after transferring from Georgia Tech. The third-year player has amassed nine touchdowns in just 19 career games. He also boasts an average of more than 18 yards a catch. The Gamecocks could certainly use that big play potential.

Also coming in are OrTre Smith and Radrecous Davis, who opted out of the 2020 season, as well as incoming freshman O’Mega Blake. Smith and Davis have both shined when on the field, but serious injuries have derailed their careers thus far. If they can get back to 100%, they should be able to factor into the receiving rotation. Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell also return, and are looking to make an impact in their sophomore seasons.

QB

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and it’s an area where South Carolina doesn’t have a ton of experience. The Gamecocks bring back just 23% of its passing output from last year’s roster.

Luke Doty returns after starting the final two games of the 2020 season. He threw for 405 yards and tossed a pair of touchdowns as a freshman, but, as expected, made some rookie mistakes along the way. The job appears to be his to lose this Fall, and coach Beamer has instilled his faith in the former four-star recruit throughout the offseason. The dual threat passer gives the Gamecocks another head in the run game, and if he can learn to be a bit more patient in the pocket, he should see an uptick in production.

Former starters Collin Hill and Ryan Hilinksi have since moved on from the program, leaving the backup battle to be sorted out between a transfer, a freshman, and a walk-on. Jason Brown comes to Columbia after a record-setting career at St. Francis University. The gunslinger set program marks for both passing yards and touchdowns with the Red Flash in 2019. He will continue to push Doty this Fall, and will hopefully provide the Gamecocks with a reliable second option.

Colten Gauthier and Connor Jordan fill out the quarterback room, but are likely to remain on the sidelines if things go well for the Gamecocks this year.