South Carolina football star Dakereon Joyner has had a wild college career that is entering its sixth and final season. He has played kick returner, quarterback, wide receiver, quarterback again, wide receiver again, wildcat quarterback, and now running back. He has started games, he has stayed on the sideline, and he has come on in relief of other players.
One thing is well-known about DK Joyner, however: the Fort Dorchester High School alum is always ready.
Despite having played almost no snaps at quarterback in 2019, he was ready when he came in for an injured Ryan Hilinski and preserved the Gamecocks’ upset of #3-ranked Georgia in Athens.
Again, despite not having played much quarterback in 2021, he was ready when he was asked to be the starter in a two-QB gameplan against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and won the game’s MVP award.
As a wide receiver in 2021, he was ready to catch the game-winning touchdown against Vanderbilt after an injured Luke Doty was replaced by former coach Zeb Noland instead of him.
Now, with his team in need at another spot, Joyner is ready to be the starter at running back for South Carolina football this fall.
Off the field, Joyner has always been ready to help others as he has been active in giving back to his community, both in Columbia and in his hometown of North Charleston.
He’s also been ready in the classroom, having won the Harold White GPA Award in 2021.
This spring, Joyner was ready for the hardest (and most rewarding) challenge of his young life when he had his daughter Kahlani.
Now, he is being recognized for his strong work both on the field and off of it. Dakereon Joyner was officially named to the preseason watch list for the Danny Wuerffel Award given annually to the college football player who best combines athletic, academic, and community service aptitude.
The Wuerffel Award is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy and National Championship winner Danny Wuerffel who has been even more of a humanitarian in his life than he was an athlete.
Joyner is a worthy nominee for the Wuerffel Award preseason watch list, and South Carolina football fans will be rooting for #5 to bring the trophy home to Kahlani.