South Carolina Football: Way Too Early Predictions for Depth Chart on Offense

With the 2023 recruiting season ending and spring practice right around the corner, many college football fans are already imagining what their favorite teams will look like on Saturdays this fall. For the South Carolina football team (and every other team in the nation), more clarity will exist after spring practice, but it’s fun to imagine the possibilities anyway. It is important to note that the transfer portal will open again after spring practice and rosters may still look different by the time the fall comes around.

A Way Too Early Look at the Depth Chart on Offense

QB

Starter: Spencer Rattler

This one is easy. Spencer Rattler is among college football’s most talented returning quarterbacks and had a very good end to his 2022 season. Rattler can make throws very few humans are capable of making, and with the number of deep threats the Gamecocks have at receiver (Juice Wells, Ahmarean Brown, Xavier Legette, Nyck Harbor), he will have a chance to showcase that arm for scouts in 2023. Returning to South Carolina for a final year could propel the Gamecocks’ offense to heights they haven’t seen consistently since the height of the Spurrier-era in Columbia.

Backup: Luke Doty…and Dakereon Joyner?

Luke Doty was the primary backup to Spencer Rattler in 2022 but didn’t see much playing time. However, Dakereon Joyner played some snaps in the wildcat that were very meaningful to the offensive success the team experienced down the stretch. Expect Doty to be the “backup quarterback,” but DK Joyner will play and may even be used as the backup in certain situations.

Could Play: Dakereon Joyner

As mentioned under backup quarterback, Dakereon Joyner will play some quarterback in 2023. His usage at the position has varied greatly during his career, but the end of 2022 saw Joyner find his role and play it well. With unproven running backs, Joyner will assuredly play a role in the run game this season, but he has shown the ability to make plays as a passer.

RB

Starter: Mario Anderson

Newberry transfer Mario Anderson is a powerful back who was a finalist for the D-II Heisman Award last season. With the running back position being in a state of flux after the departures of MarShawn Lloyd, Christian Beal-Smith, and Rashad Amos, Anderson’s consistency and steadiness will be needed early in the year. Even if Anderson does not win the starting job or loses it to another back, expect him to get the majority of the short-yardage opportunities this fall.

Backup: Juju McDowell

McDowell should slot into a familiar role, as he has served as a rotational back during the last two seasons. McDowell has good wiggle and some ability as a receiver that is especially handy on 3rd-downs. Expect Lovasea Carroll and incoming freshman DJay Braswell to push for carries as well. There is also speculation that the Gamecocks could add a back through the transfer portal before the season begins. No matter his role, though, McDowell will play.

Could Play: Lovasea Carroll, DJay Braswell

Carroll was a four-star recruit out of high school who has size and good top-end speed. DJay Braswell is a track athlete who is even faster than Carroll. Both players could see some playing time if the Gamecocks do not add another back through the transfer portal.

WR

X/Outside Receiver: Juice Wells

Wells will look to build off a very good 2022 campaign by contributing more consistently in 2023. Last season, he had several really big games and several where he was relatively anonymous. If Wells can show the type of production he displayed in big performances against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Clemson, another All-SEC season is all but guaranteed. He will likely spend most of the year lined up on the outside.

Z/Outside Receiver: Xavier Legette 

Legette has flashed some elite speed and big play ability as a Gamecock. His 100-yard kickoff return in the Texas A&M game and long touchdown catch against Notre Dame were some of the most impressive plays of the 2022 South Carolina season. He provides some versatility as he also is comfortable carrying the ball out of the backfield and after going in motion. Legette has struggled at times with his hands and route running, but if he takes a leap forward, number 17 could be a dangerous weapon for new Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains.

Backup Outside Receiver: Nyckoles Harbor

Harbor is the highest-rated recruit in South Carolina football’s 2023 recruiting class. The athlete is expected to spend most of his time at receiver, and Dowell Loggains will use his Olympic-caliber sprint speed to test out just how far Spencer Rattler can throw the ball. He will undoubtedly contribute more as he gets older, but in 2023, Harbor will get snaps both outside and inside with his role as a freshman being pretty simple: run fast.

Slot Receiver: Ahmarean Brown

Brown is another speed merchant who has the ability to get behind the defense. He has some shiftiness, as well, and he has experience carrying the ball on jet sweeps. Brown likely will end the year as the starter in the slot, but he will get some snaps on the outside, too. Somehow, in forty offensive touches, Brown has zero touchdowns in his two years as a Gamecock.

Backup Slot Receiver: Eddie Lewis/Dakereon Joyner

The slot is crowded at South Carolina. Ahmarean Brown, Eddie Lewis, Dakereon Joyner, Juju McDowell, and the tight ends will all spend time in the slot. Brown is the incumbent, but Lewis and Joyner have significant experience. Lewis is probably the favorite to finish the year as the starter, but Brown and Joyner will play.

Could Play: O’Mega Blake, Landon Samson, Elijah Caldwell, Zavier Short

Blake, Samson, and Short are returning receivers who have not seen much game action. Caldwell is an incoming freshman who is more polished than most high school prospects, but his summer enrollment will likely delay his ability to contribute early.

Tight End

In-Line: Nick Elksnis

The tight end position looks (literally) completely different from last season. Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner left in the transfer portal, Nate Adkins graduated, and Traevon Kenion and Chad Terrell retired from football. Big-bodied transfer Nick Elksnis probably best fills the role vacated by Stogner. Elksnis is a willing blocker and a capable receiver, but he lacks experience. Expect some of the bigger receiving threats at the position (Trey Knox, Joshua Simon, Reid Mikeska) to get some snaps with their hands in the dirt, as well.

H-Back/Fullback/Wing Blocker: Nick Elksnis

With the departures of Adkins, Bell, and Stogner, no player on the roster has much experience playing the h-back spot. Elksnis seems to be the best blocker of the bunch, so he could be considered the favorite to fill this role. Trey Knox is not a great blocker but did play in this spot some last season at Arkansas. Xavier Short is listed as a receiver but is bigger than most and has practiced some at TE. Nate Adkins was an integral part of the offense from this role last season, and there is no reason to expect the offense will move away from using the h-back again this year.

Backup In-Line/H-Back/Fullback/Wing Blocker: Connor Cox

With tight end being an important role with almost zero returning experience, young players could see action early, especially if they can block. Connor Cox was a good high school blocker and could get some run here if that skill translates to the SEC. In goal line and gadget situations, don’t discount the possibility of Dowell Loggains utilizing athletic defensive linemen like Tonka Hemingway and TJ Sanders as fullbacks.

Y/Big Slot/Receiving Tight End: Trey Knox

The highest-profile pass-catching tight end on the roster, Knox began his career at Arkansas as a receiver before adding weight to change positions. A proven playmaker, he will be used in many different ways, but his best role will be seen when he is used as a big receiver. He runs well and can high point the football, meaning he can be weaponized all over the field for the 2023 offense.

Backup Receiving Tight End: Joshua Simon

A very similar player profile to Knox, Simon will battle for playing time as a big receiver. The Sumter-area native will have lots of opportunities to prove himself at a position of turnover this offseason. He has 16 career receiving touchdowns, and that nose for the endzone could allow Simon to become a goal line threat for quarterback Spencer Rattler. Expect Simon to play even if he is not the initial starter.

Could Play: Reid Mikeska, Zavier Short, Connor Cox

Short is listed as a receiver but has the size to contribute in certain areas at the tight end position. Mikeska is an incoming freshman who is also a very talented receiving tight end. Both players could provide a jolt of athleticism in the receiving game if needed. Connor Cox is a more traditional tight end who will be called on to add some blocking if inserted into the game.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Jaylin Nichols

Nichols is the returner at left tackle. A good athlete, he has the fluidity to improve his pass blocking and become a steadying force protecting quarterback Spencer Rattler. He has shown some ability to run block, especially in space. He will be pushed by Jakai Moore and young players like Cason Henry and Ryan Brubaker.

Right Tackle: Cason Henry

Henry was one of two right tackles from last season (along with Tyshawn Wannamaker) who saw playing time when Dylan Wonnum missed the bowl game or needed a breather throughout the season. The coaching staff praised Henry more than any other young lineman in 2022, and he has put himself in a position to have a chance to start at tackle this year. He moves well and works extremely hard, so expect to see Henry play even if he loses the first-string job.

Backup Tackle: Sidney Fugar

A massive human being, Fugar has all the tools to start at tackle. He is still extremely raw, though, so his inexperience and lack of refined skills could keep him off the field. He will battle with Ryan Brubaker and incoming freshmen “Big Tree” Babalade and Jatavius Shivers for a spot in the two-deep.

Left Guard: Jakai Moore

If Jakai Moore is not a starting tackle, he will be heavily involved in the battles at guard. Vershon Lee returns as a player with experience at the position, but Moore has shown more promise when he has played. Incoming freshmen Markee Anderson and Trovon Baugh are extremely talented and could fight for a starting spot if an upperclassman cannot claim it.

Right Guard: Tyshawn Wannamaker

Wannamaker has played outside at tackle and inside at guard but profiles best as a guard. He is thick and strong, helping him as a blocker in the run game. Wannamaker can be devastating in space as a pulling guard, and if he has progressed in pass protection, could be an excellent starter at guard for the Gamecocks in 2023.

Backup Guard: Trai Jones

An experienced player, Jones is an impressive athlete for an offensive lineman, having played some fullback in 2021. Jones is a solid run blocker but struggles in pass protection and against stronger defensive linemen. Pending Jones’ offseason improvement, incoming freshmen Markee Anderson and Trovon Baugh could push for his spot in the two-deep. Ryan Brubaker could also factor in at guard if he progresses. Vershon Lee could also fill in at guard, a position he’s played in the past.

Center: Nick Gargulio

A four-year player at Yale, Gargulio played all over the Bulldogs’ offensive line. In the SEC, he fits best at center. Coming from the Ivy League, he is intelligent, but he possesses a high football IQ, as well which will serve him well if he is the choice to replace Eric Douglas in the middle. Gargulio is expected to perform well in the run game and is a tough, hard-nosed lineman.

Backup Center: Vershon Lee

Lee has starting experience as a guard but faced some struggles against good defensive linemen. He has also practiced at center during his career and fits that position best from a physical and mental standpoint. If Gargulio is not “the guy” at center, expect Lee to have the first opportunity to claim the spot.

Could Play: Markee Anderson, Trovon Baugh, “Big Tree” Babalade, Ryan Brubaker, Vershon Lee, Sidney Fugar

Lee is an experienced player who could step in on the interior if his number is called. Brubaker is a young player who could fight for a depth spot at tackle or guard. Fugar is a massive tackle who transferred from Western Illinois and possesses lots of raw ability. Anderson, Baugh, and Babalade are highly-touted incoming freshmen, but Anderson seems to be the most likely to play early as he is an early enrollee.