South Carolina football fans are eagerly (see also: anxiously) awaiting what the Gamecock offense will look like in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
Outside of the best stretch of football of quarterback Jake Bentley’s career in 2018 and a Kevin Harris-led rushing attack in 2020, Carolina fans have not witnessed a consistently good offense from their favorite team in what feels like an eternity.
Offensive coordinators Marcus Satterfield, Bryan McClendon, and Kurt Roper have fielded some of the worst offenses in the SEC over the last 7 seasons, and veteran playcaller Mike Bobo had frustrating moments during his 1-year tenure in Columbia, as well.
Coach Loggains is well-respected in the coaching industry and is taking over an offense that finished the 2022 season very well and returns some of its top playmakers.
Everyone that follows South Carolina football knows the names Spencer Rattler and Juice Wells. However, in order for the Gamecocks to have a good offense in 2023, more players will be needed to step up and play well.
Both head coach Shane Beamer and quarterback Spencer Rattler spoke about the 2023 offense at SEC Media Days on Thursday.
When asked about his wide receivers, Rattler made sure to mention that Ahmarean Brown and Xavier Legette were candidates to have “standout years” across from Wells and that Nyck Harbor is “big, tall, fast, and can do it all.” Even Harbor’s fellow true freshman Elijah Caldwell got shouted out by his QB when Rattler said he could “help this year” and is a “sleeper” at the position.
The offensive captain didn’t limit his praise to just the wideouts, though, as he gushed about the Gamecocks’ presumed top-2 tight ends. Rattler talked about how smart Trey Knox is and how much he has helped the other offensive players understand Loggains’ offense. He also mentioned how underrated Josh Simon is and said he will “shock” fans this fall.
Senior do-it-all playmaker Dakereon Joyner also received some praise from Rattler as both a running back and leader. Said Rattler, “ can do whatever we need him to do.”
Beamer was asked multiple times about Nyck Harbor. The 6’5″, 241-pound wide receiver was mentioned, and his head coach quipped, “He’s fast.”
When asked about Dakereon Joyner’s new role, Beamer talked up his new running back while downplaying the difficulty of the transition to his new position: “He’s shown his skillset” as a runner. He feels confident enough in Joyner to reveal that #5 will play a “huge part” in the 2023 offense for South Carolina football.
Beamer also mentioned that true freshmen could play at “every position.” Harbor and Caldwell had already been mentioned in the wide receiver room, but true freshman ball carrier DJay Braswell and offensive lineman Markee Anderson are expected to play. There has also been some buzz about versatile freshman Kamron Sandlin who could play tight end, receiver, or running back.
According to Beamer, all injured players (other than left tackle Jaylen Nichols) are expected to be fully recovered by the season opener against North Carolina.