South Carolina Football: 10 notes from Spring Practice so far

South Carolina football’s Dakereon Joyner has a chance to become just the fifth player ever in college football history (and the second Gamecock) to join the “600 Club.” Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina football’s Dakereon Joyner has a chance to become just the fifth player ever in college football history (and the second Gamecock) to join the “600 Club.” Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Carolina Football
South Carolina football’s Cam Smith will be drafted early in April’s NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: South Carolina football will be forced to play lots of young players in the 2023 secondary

The departed Cam Smith and Darius Rush will be difficult to replace at corner. David Spaulding and O’Donnell Fortune are the only two expected contributors who have more than two years of experience in the program. Marcellas Dial has played a lot of football in two years on campus but has never had to be the feature cover corner due to the presence of Smith and Rush. Fortune has only played sparingly in his career but has flashed at times. Spaulding is missing the spring recovering from a foot injury from last season.

Keenan Nelson, Jr., Emory Floyd, Jr., and KaJuan Banks are all sophomores who have played limited snaps at corner and nickel and should factor in the preseason battles at those positions. They could also be reserve safeties. Peyton Williams played some important snaps at safety last season and could be a starter if Nick Emmanwori moves to linebacker or DQ Smith is needed to play at the nickel corner. All of these youngsters have shown positive signs this spring.