South Carolina football: top performers of first six games
By Jacob Elsey
We’re at the midway point in the South Carolina football season with the Gamecocks jumping out to a 3-3 start. There have been a few ups and downs thus far as Shane Beamer is still figuring out his team, but we’ve also seen a few surprise performances to this point.
Dakereon Joyner, Jaheim Bell, and Jalen Brooks have all recorded 10+ catches and at least 120 yards each. All have found the endzone on one occasion this year. In the run game, Kevin Harris leads way, though Juju McDowell and ZaQuandre White have both seen great performances throughout the season. Luke Doty is continuing to grow under center.
The defense has been the most improbable star of the team, though. After allowing 36 points a game to its opposition last season, the Gamecocks have cut two touchdowns off of that total under new coordinator Clayton White. Only two foes have reached the 20-point mark, and the Gamecocks continue to dominate in the turnover department.
Projected first-round pick Kingsley Enagbare leads the group in sacks, while former walk-on safety Jaylan Foster paces the team in interceptions. Players like Brad Johnson, Damani Staley, Cam Smith, and Zacch Pickens have also made impacts. Hopefully, that output will continue throughout the rest of the season.
Let’s take a look at a player on offense, defense, and special teams that’s been their group’s top performer six games into the year.
South Carolina football’s top performers
OFFENSE – Josh Vann
Vann leads the team in yards from scrimmage with 406 on 22 touches. Nineteen of those 22 plays have been in the receiving game, where he’s averaging 18.1 yards per catch. The senior has hauled in a team high three scores and ranks ninth in the SEC with 344 receiving yards. He’s also averaging more than 20 yards a carry when contributing as a rusher.
Vann had fallen down the depth chart over his first three seasons in Columbia, but he’s seen a resurgence under South Carolina’s new coaching staff. He’s shot up to the top of the lineup and has recorded 100-yard performances versus East Carolina and Georgia. Prior to this season, he’d never tallied more than 35 yards in a game.
Vann has been the offense’s best big play threat, and the most consistent receiver in the passing attack. The Gamecocks will need him moving forward if they hope to knock off a few programs and reach the postseason.