The South Carolina football program began spring practice on March 14th, so there has been almost two weeks of practices. That means that there has been two weeks of observation, speculation, and, at times, consternation. Players and coaches have practiced and spoken in front of the media, and fans are growing more and more anxious for September to arrive.
Countless practice sightings, press conference soundbites, and recruiting rumors have fans counting down the days to kickoff (it’s 163, by the way). The Gamecocks, like most teams, have certain areas of their squad that are known and other questions that are yet unanswered. Trying to cover all of these would be impossible, but here are ten important observations from the last two weeks in Gamecock Nation.
No. 10: South Carolina football’s new Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains has won over the locker room
Despite the fan base’s desire for change at offensive coordinator, Coach Loggains was not a hire that filled the fanbase with excitement. In fact, many criticized Head Coach Shane Beamer heavily for the hire. Since coming on board, however, Loggains has been winning over the fanbase and the locker room.
In every media availability that Coach Loggains has had, he’s “won the press conference.” His energy and work ethic are seen in the way he speaks and the way others speak about him. “That’s my guy,” and “he’s the man” have been common refrains from offensive players when speaking about the new man in charge. Recruits who have been asked about Coach Loggains have had similar things to say about the former NFL play caller, as well. If his on-field success comes anywhere close to the positive offseason he’s had, this hire will have been a great one.
No. 9: The running back group will have to contribute in unique ways this season for South Carolina football to have offensive success
Last season, the South Carolina running back room was less than conventional. Jaheim Bell started a few games at the position, and Nate Adkins was brought in on some passing downs to help with pass protection. This season’s group won’t look like that (hopefully), but it will be another unique squad. Players may have very specific roles they play to contribute in the backfield.
The big news at the position this offseason centered around MarShawn Lloyd (transfer), Rashad Amos (transfer), Christian Beal-Smith (graduation), and Lovasea Carroll (medical retirement) all leaving the program. To help combat the losses, do-it-all playmaker Dakereon Joyner has gotten some spring practice reps at the position. He is still slated to play some receiver and wildcat quarterback, as well, but with the running back room being so thin (only Juju McDowell has much SEC experience), Joyner’s presence should help.
In addition to Joyner, Newberry transfer Mario Anderson is a thick-bodied back who will likely have a role due to his ability to run between the tackles and in short-yardage situations. McDowell will play, especially as a pass-catching option. Dante “Lil’ Turbo” Miller is still waiting on a potential waiver from the NCAA to become eligible for another season, and the Gamecocks could be in the market for a transfer portal back after spring practice. DJ Twitty is a big walk-on who could see some snaps as a fullback/H-back if none of the young tight ends can play the role.
No. 8: South Carolina football’s signal caller Spencer Rattler remains confident after last season’s solid finish
Watching Spencer Rattler early last season, it was apparent that the talented gunslinger was not overly confident. How much of that stemmed from a lack of confidence in himself vs. a lack of confidence in the offense is impossible to know, but things look different heading into 2023. #7 has intimated in offseason interviews that the new offense is streamlined and simplified. This can only help an offense that was clearly playing with a certain level of confusion at times in 2022.
Rattler also has developed a better rapport with his teammates. His relationship with top pass catcher Antwane “Juice” Wells is a good one, and he has felt much more comfortable operating as the leader of the offense now that he’s a full year removed from being “just a transfer.” Even his head coach has acknowledged that Rattler has stepped it up this offseason. Coach Beamer says that Rattler is no longer trying to “earn their [his teammates’] respect” because he’s already earned it. That leadership will go a long way in guiding the offense this fall.
No. 7: The future at quarterback for South Carolina football might have arrived on campus this winter
Spencer Rattler is the clear starter at quarterback in 2023. Luke Doty is the backup, and Dakereon Joyner will get some snaps in the wildcat. But another quarterback has been turning heads in recent weeks. LaNorris Sellers, the Florence product the Gamecocks flipped from Syracuse during the Early Signing Period, came to campus much more ready to play than originally expected.
The bespectacled Sellers is a dual-threat quarterback. He has good size at 6’3″ and 232 pounds and has been credited with throwing the ball over 60 yards through the air with ease. There have also been rumors that he has run the 40-yard dash in the 4.4-4.5 range, meaning he is one of the fastest quarterbacks to ever come to Carolina. That’s not too bad for an 18 year-old freshman who enrolled in college early. Sellers has much room to grow as he learns the college game, but his physical tools should have Gamecock fans excited about the future.
No. 6: More youngsters have looked really good in the early stages of their South Carolina football careers
Several true freshmen from the 2023 recruiting class have been performing well since coming on campus a couple of months ago. LaNorris Sellers headlines the group because he is a quarterback, but he is not the only young player receiving praise from sources inside the program. Grayson “Pup” Howard has been talked about since arriving to campus prior to bowl practice. Graduating extra early from high school allowed Howard to practice with the team and begin working out earlier than the rest of his class.
Markee Anderson, the 4-star guard from Dorman High School, has repeatedly been mentioned as a player who has performed well despite his age. The state’s Mr. Football out of high school, Xzavier McLeod, has also caught the eye of media members who have gotten to see parts of spring practice up to this point. Desmond Umeozulu could be called upon to play early at defensive end, and he already looks the part, coming in at 6’6″, 240 pounds. With more exciting talent like Nyckoles Harbor and DJay Braswell coming in this summer, this freshman class has Gamecock Nation abuzz.
Second-year player Stone Blanton has reshaped his body to add some more speed to his game as he looks to compete for a linebacker job this spring. Receiver Kylic Horton also seems to have taken some steps forward in his second year in the program. The secondary trio of Keenan Nelson, Emory Floyd, and KaJuan Banks have all progressed, as well.
No. 5: South Carolina football’s safety room remains intact…for now
Speculation was rampant earlier this offseason that Nick Emmanwori, the Gamecocks’ Freshman All-American safety, might be moving to linebacker. The defense has a need at the position, and there are seemingly more ready-to-play options at safety, However, as of now, the Columbia kid isn’t going anywhere. In the early goings of spring practice, #21 has been playing safety next to fellow Columbia native DQ Smith, just as was true most of last season.
Just because Emmanwori has played safety through the first handful of spring practices does not mean a position change is out of the question. DQ Smith, David Spaulding, and Peyton Williams have all played well at safety in the past, and linebacker has zero players who are both experienced and 100% healthy.
Mo Kaba is coming off of an ACL tear, and Debo Williams, Stone Blanton, and Bam Martin-Scott have only played rotationally. Big-time freshman Grayson “Pup” Howard is talented but has never played college football. Emmanwori is a safety, but don’t be surprised to see the move happen if linebacker is a struggle through the spring and summer.
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.
No. 3: South Carolina football Special Teams Coordinator Pete Lembo isn’t sharing any secrets
Coach Lembo is arguably the best special teams coordinator in college football. His punter Kair Kroeger is among the best in the nation, and his kicker Mitch Jeter didn’t miss a kick all last season. He also has a playbook full of fakes and 2-point conversion ideas that the Gamecocks have used the last two seasons to gain an advantage in the oft-neglected third phase of the game.
However, whenever asked what he might come up with next, Lembo never lets the media in on his secrets. It’s part of his genius, perhaps, that he will spend ten minutes talking about World War II history or 1980s cinema during his press availability. It allows him to avoid directly answering questions about his unit. Gamecock fans are content to let Lembo do whatever he likes during press conferences if he continues to lead units that are among the country’s best in every special team category.
No. 2: South Carolina football Head Coach Shane Beamer has no love lost for a couple of SEC coaches
In an interview with Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast, Shane Beamer was asked which SEC coaches he wanted to fight. Instead of playing it safe and avoiding the question, Beamer, without naming any names, admitted there are some coaches in the league with whom he’d like some alone time.
Gamecock fans have speculated that Kentucky’s Mark Stoops could be one of these coaches as his passive-aggressive comments about “stupid sunglasses” and dancing didn’t sit well with Beamer or his team. Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz does not appear to be well-liked around the league and may have caught Coach Beamer’s ire due to his arrogance and the Gamecocks’ baffling lack of success against the Tigers in recent years. Billy Napier of Florida recently tried poaching Wide Receivers Coach Justin Stepp from Carolina, as well.
No matter who Beamer was thinking of when he answered the question, the Gamecocks’ head man has stirred up quite the talking point during spring practice.
No. 1: Injuries have not been a major storyline for the South Carolina football program this spring
A handful of Gamecocks are recovering from injuries from last season and/or some offseason surgeries. David Spaulding (foot), Jordan Strachan (ACL), and Mo Kaba (ACL) all missed significant time last year and are limited this spring as they recover, and Tonka Hemingway and Cason Henry are both non-participants in spring practice as they recover from minor surgical procedures.
However, the Gamecocks are not dealing with much else on the injury front as of now. Players like Terrell Dawkins and Alex “Boogie” Huntley seem ready to go after battling ailments last year. The positive news regarding team health is bound to change eventually, but the Gamecocks have been fortunate up to this point to be as healthy as they could hope to be.