South Carolina Football: Gamecocks announce three SEC Media Day representatives

South Carolina football has announced three players as the team’s representatives for SEC Media Days.

In a graphic on Twitter, Gamecock football’s Sports Information Director (and Associate Athletic Director of Communications and Public Relations) Steve Fink announced Spencer Rattler, Tonka Hemingway, and Kai Kroeger as the program’s player representatives for SEC Media Days.

Rattler is in his second and final year with the Gamecocks. After spending year 1 earning the trust of his teammates, he has become an unquestioned leader in the locker room. If his strong play from the end of 2022 continues, Carolina’s offense will be formidable in 2023. Expectations for Rattler are high, and, because of that, expectations for the Gamecocks are high.

4th-year player Tonka Hemingway has become one of the top defensive tackles in the SEC. When he has been healthy, he has played a big role for the Gamecock defense his entire career. Now with several preseason projections listing him as an All-SEC player in 2023, all eyes are on Tonka. His versatility on the defensive line could be critical this fall to a unit that is thin at the end spot.

Fellow senior Kai Kroeger is the best punter in the country. He was one of the most important players in last season’s streak-busting win over rival Clemson. His exploits with his leg are well-known, but his ability with his arm has turned him into a legend. He is 6-6 for 173 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 first downs in his career.

In addition to being extremely talented football players, all three of these young men have shown themselves to be remarkable human beings, making their selections as South Carolina football’s representatives at SEC Media Days relatively easy choices for the Gamecock coaching staff.

The trip to Nashville will be the first SEC Media Days appearance for all three players. Versatile offensive weapon Dakereon Joyner has also attended the event in the past (2022).