South Carolina Football: Which Gamecocks made Athlon Sports’ All-SEC and All-American teams?

Recently, Athlon Sports released its preseason All-SEC team and All-American team. Several South Carolina football players were honored by the national outlet as it predicted the top players for the 2023 college football season.

Wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells and punter Kai Kroeger made Athlon’s first-team All-SEC squad. Safety Nick Emmanwori was selected as a second-team All-SEC performer. Defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway (as a defensive tackle) and kicker Mitch Jeter were chosen for the All-SEC third-team. Quarterback Spencer Rattler was on Athlon’s fourth-team All-SEC unit and so were tight end Trey Knox, linebacker Mo Kaba, cornerback Marcellas Dial, wide receiver Xavier Legette (as a kick returner), and versatile playmaker Dakereon Joyner (as an all-purpose player).

In all, South Carolina football had eleven players selected to Athlon’s All-SEC team. That number is tied for third-most in the conference behind only Georgia (15 selections) and Alabama (12 selections). Vanderbilt, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky were the only programs to not have a first-team All-SEC selection.

For Athlon’s All-American squad, two Gamecocks were honored as being among the best in the country at their respective positions.

Punter Kai Kroeger made the cut as a second-team All-American selection. Antwane “Juice” Wells was Carolina’s other All-American choice as the big-time playmaker was chosen as a fourth-team All-American at the wide receiver position.

Half of the teams in the SEC had multiple Athlon All-Americans. The schools that did not were Kentucky (1), Missouri (1), Ole Miss (1), Florida (0), Tennessee (0), Auburn (0), and Vanderbilt (0).