South Carolina Football: Which true freshmen can make an impact in 2023?

South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Wide Receiver Elijah Caldwell

Elijah Caldwell was a late addition to the 2023 Gamecock recruiting class. He made his official decision on Signing Day (just hours before Nyck Harbor) after a late push from South Carolina. In the end, the Gamecocks are going to be glad they made that push, and the reward could show itself as early as this fall.

Caldwell is a polished and football-savvy receiver who knows how to get open. He is fast enough and quick enough to find space before and after the catch, but his “football IQ” separates him from most freshmen.

In a matchup against current Gamecock teammate LaNorris Sellers, Caldwell scored a touchdown in the South Carolina 4A State Championship Game (linked above).

While in high school at Northwestern, Caldwell was not just a dynamic receiver, but he also impacted the game in other ways. He was no stranger to carrying the ball as a rusher, and he was an explosive return man. The combination of his versatility, special teams acumen, and headiness could lead to him joining Nyck Harbor as true freshmen receivers who contribute in 2023.

You can watch some of his high school film from last year’s state title game linked above.