South Carolina Football: 10 things to look for during Saturday’s spring game
By Kevin Miller
No.7: What Will South Carolina Football’s Offensive Line Look Like on Saturday? Who Will Play, and Where Will They Line Up?
On offense, most people talk about the quarterback or the running back or the wide receivers or even the tight ends. The offensive line, on the other hand, is often overlooked. However, offensive success starts with the big guys up front. If a team can’t block, a team can’t move the football. The Gamecocks are replacing three long-term starters this season but still return a fair amount of experience across the line.
Head Coach Shane Beamer told the media he had a “top-6” in mind that were leading the pack in the race to start on the offensive line. He named Jaylen Nichols, Jakai Moore, Nick Gargiulo, Vershon Lee, Trai Jones, and Tyshawn Wannamaker. Cason Henry, a young player who was expected to compete for a tackle spot, has missed much of the offseason with an injury.
Every one of the top-6 has positional versatility, as well. Nichols, Wannamaker, and Moore have started games at both tackle and guard for the Gamecocks, Jones and Lee have played both guard and center, and Gargiulo transferred in from Yale where he was the team captain who played all five spots on the line. Seeing how Beamer, Loggains, and new Offensive Line Coach Lonnie Teasley position the offensive line unit will be an intriguing storyline on Saturday.