South Carolina football enters the 2023 season with a unique combination of high expectations and significant questions surrounding the program. The Gamecocks’ upward trajectory (both on the field and off of it) has fans expecting another step forward this year.
With the nation’s toughest schedule in 2023, improving on an 8-win campaign from 2022 will not be easy. The Gamecocks play Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas A&M on the road and North Carolina at a neutral site (Charlotte). The home slate is still very challenging as Williams-Brice Stadium will welcome Clemson, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt this fall.
The 2022 Gamecocks lost several contributors highlighted by ten Gamecocks who got NFL opportunities (Cam Smith, Zacch Pickens, Darius Rush, Jovaughn Gwyn, Jalen Brooks, Nate Adkins, Josh Vann, Eric Douglas, Sherrod Greene, and Brad Johnson) and several key transfers (MarShawn Lloyd, Jaheim Bell, Jordan Burch, etc.).
The attrition means that South Carolina football will be looking to some new faces to play big roles in the team’s success in 2023. Obvious names come to mind as new contributors like corners Marcellas Dial and O’Donnell Fortune and tight ends Trey Knox and Joshua Simon, but veteran players will not be the only ones to step up.
In fact, several true freshmen are poised to play important roles for the 2023 version of the South Carolina football team. Any freshman can come in and earn playing time, but which ones of these young players have the best chances to shine this season?
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Wide Receiver Nyckoles Harbor
Nyck Harbor is one of the ten highest-rated prospects to ever sign with the University of South Carolina. Unlike any of the other elite prospects to wear garnet and black, Nyck Harbor has dreams of running in the Olympics, and those dreams are not far from reality.
Despite standing at 6’5″ and weighing in at 230 pounds, Harbor is one of the fastest players in the nation, especially in longer sprints. Now that he will play wide receiver for the Gamecocks, he will be able to utilize that straight-line speed to take the top off of defenses.
The South Carolina wide receiver room has lots of talented players in it, led by preseason All-American Juice Wells. However, Harbor will still get a chance to play. His unique blend of size and top-end speed make him a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. He can run past the defense or jump over them, and Gamecock fans can’t wait to see him in the end zone.
Harbor was a defensive end for much of his high school career, but because of his Olympic dreams, he will not gain enough weight to play the position full-time at the college level. However, there has been some talk amongst the Gamecock coaching staff that Harbor could be unleashed off the EDGE in some extremely obvious passing situations.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers
One of the top performers in the Garnet and Black Spring Game was early enrollee true freshman LaNorris Sellers. Less than 8 months ago, he was playing in a high school state championship game, and now, he might be second on the depth chart at quarterback.
Sellers is extremely gifted as both an athlete and as a passer, and with the offseason move of Dakereon Joyner to the running back position, there’s a chance Sellers plays a role in the offense this fall. If Joyner is needed for significant reps at running back (or even wide receiver), Sellers would be the logical choice to fill in at the wildcat quarterback spot that #5 has occupied in recent years.
The Gamecocks found some success in that spot toward the end of last season, and Sellers is an even more gifted passer than Joyner. The only real question for the South Carolina coaching staff is, “Is it worth burning LaNorris Sellers’ redshirt for a wildcat quarterback role?” Time will tell how they answer that question.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard
“Pup” Howard was an extra-early enrollee to the South Carolina football program. An early December high school graduate, he was able to go through most of the Gamecocks’ bowl practice leading up to last year’s Gator Bowl. Pup is a big linebacker (6’4″ and 242 pounds), but he is athletic enough to still play the position.
With Brad Johnson and Sherrod Greene now in the NFL, the Gamecocks are in need of new faces to step up at linebacker. Debo Williams and Stone Blanton appear to be the frontrunners for the two starting role as of now, but neither player has a stranglehold on a job.
Several other experienced linebackers have some crossover ability as EDGE players, and with the Gamecocks’ need at that position, that opens up even more of an opportunity for Pup Howard to see the field early and often.
Because of Howard’s size, however, there is a chance he could grow into an EDGE himself. Because the Gamecocks’ lack of proven depth at that position, even if a position change happens, Pup could still have a chance to get on the field. Currently, there is no plan to move the former 4-star linebacker from his natural position, so fans should expect to see him factor into the linebacker situation this fall.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Running Back Dontavius “DJay” Braswell
It is no secret that one of the biggest question marks surrounding the Gamecock offense is the running back position. With former 5-star MarShawn Lloyd and Rashad Amos transferring, former 4-star Lovasea Carroll retiring for medical reasons, and two seniors having graduated, the position was pretty bare heading into the new year.
The Gamecocks added transfer portal back Mario Anderson from Division-II Newberry and moved do-it-all athlete Dakereon Joyner to the room this offseason. DJay Braswell enrolled this summer but will still have an opportunity to play early.
From a skillset standpoint, Braswell instantly became the fastest running back on the team, but he is also big enough at 200 pounds to carry the ball between the tackles. His ability to catch the ball was on display at the prep level, as well, as he sometimes lined up at wide receiver.
In high school, Braswell also returned kicks and punts. With punt returner Josh Vann gone and kick returner Xavier Legette an injury risk, Braswell could get some work as a returner next season. Even if he does not return kicks next year, special teams coordinator Pete Lembo will undoubtedly find a way to utilize a player that runs like Braswell.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Offensive Lineman Markee Anderson
Markee Anderson broke a long stretch of Gamecock misses in recruiting Dorman High School, and South Carolina football will be a better program because of his decision to wear garnet and black. Likely an interior lineman long term, Anderson is going to be one of the first big men off the bench at the start of 2023, across the board at tackle, guard, and center.
After Jaylen Nichols went down with a likely season-ending knee injury in the Garnet and Black Spring Game, Anderson filled in for the rest of the game. He struggled a bit, but it was his first real action at tackle since arriving on campus. Now, Anderson is prepared to contribute at any offensive line position as needed.
Earlier this offseason, Shane Beamer unequivocally stated that Markee Anderson “will play” in 2023. The Gamecocks have utilized timely offensive line rotations in recent seasons to give the big guys up front a chance to catch their breath periodically. Because Anderson is likely in the top-8 in the offensive line room now, he will be part of those rotations.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Defensive Back Vicari Swain
There has been some internal fighting between South Carolina football coaches over where Vicari Swain will play in garnet and black. In high school, Swain was a dynamic wide receiver and an extremely fluid defensive back. The plan, as of now, is for Swain to play defensive back for the Gamecocks, likely at cornerback.
If Swain sticks at corner, he has a shot to impact games as a freshman. Marcellas Dial is pretty secure as the team’s top corner as he had some good moments as the third corner in 2022. O’Donnell Forture is primed to be the second corner but is unproven at the position and has bounced around to different DB spots in the past.
Swain will battle with fellow underclassmen Kajuan Banks, Emory Floyd, and Keenan Nelson and seniors Isaiah Norris and David Spaulding for one of the three corner spots (specifically the nickel position in the case of Spaulding). Judge Collier and Jalon Kilgore are also high-upside true freshmen, but both players likely will play safety.
Ther is a chance Swain could get some snaps at wide receiver or even move to the offensive side of the ball, but the chance is very small. Justin Stepp and Torrian Gray both wanted Swain as part of their positional groups, but according to coach Beamer “Coach Gray won that one…for now.”
You can watch some of his high school film here.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute early:
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Desmond Umeozulu
Desmond Umeozulu was the highest-rated prospect in the class of 2023 prior to 5-star Nyck Harbor’s commitment on Signing Day. The 6’6″ EDGE player likely will be thrust into action early in the 2023 season.
The Gamecocks lost two of their top three players at the defensive end spot from a season ago to the transfer portal (Jordan Burch and Gilber Edmond), and depth pass rusher Rodricus “Hot Rod” Fitten also left in the portal. Projected starter Jordan Strachan is rehabbing from a torn ACL, too.
Desmond U is a very talented player that has been put into a defensive end/outside linebacker group that doesn’t have a lot of bodies. That surely will mean the Washington DC native will be asked to get after some quarterbacks this fall. Based on his talent and high school tape, South Carolina football fans should expect Dez Umeozulu to make an impact when he sees the field.
You can watch some of his high school film linked above.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Safety Jalon Kilgore
Jalon Kilgore was one of the most underrated players in the 2023 recruiting class, and if it weren’t for the fact that the Gamecocks had two Freshmen All-Americans at the safety position in 2022, Kilgore’s name would be brought up a lot more when discussing what the 2023 defense might look like.
Even with Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith returning at the position, Kilgore is expected to see some action. He is a big-bodied safety at 6’2″ and 200 pounds, but Kilgore still runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4s, meaning he has plenty of speed for the position. Secondary players do rotate some, so fans should expect to see Kilgore hear his name called for some defensive snaps.
The Gamecocks have been willing to play more natural safeties inside at the nickel position, especially if they are gifted tacklers. Last season, players like David Spaulding and even DQ Smith picked up some snaps inside. This is another spot where Kilgore could get reps this fall.
Kilgore’s speed and willingness to hit somebody make him a prime candidate to see time on several of special teams coordinator Pete Lembo’s special teams units.
You can watch some of his high school film here.
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.
South Carolina Football true freshmen who could contribute in 2023:
Defensive Tackle Xzavier McLeod
Xzavier McLeod is a freak. At almost 330 pounds, the big man from Camden, South Carolina moves entirely too quickly and with way too much fluidity. It shouldn’t be possible for a man as big as Zay McLeod to move as well as he does. Yet, there is not a Gamecock fan out there who is complaining about having this unicorn on their favorite team.
McLeod is at the disadvantage of playing one of the deeper positions on the South Carolina football team. Tonka Hemingway, Alex “Boogie” Huntley, TJ Sanders, Nick Barrett, and Elijah Davis are all more experienced players who will likely start the season ahead of McLeod in the pecking order in the middle of the Gamecock defensive front.
He might just be too good, though. If McLeod puts in the necessary work, he will play in 2023. At his size, he is an ideal piece to utilize in short yardage situations, but his surprisingly athleticism provides him with enough versatility to play in any situation if he has a good summer and fall camp.
You can watch some of his film from the Rivals Camp linked above.