South Carolina Football: 10 observations from fall practice so far

South Carolina Football’s Fall Camp Observations:
Josh Simon is going to be a major factor in 2023.

There has been a lot of talk about transfer tight end Trey Knox this offseason. This is for good reason as the former Arkansas Razorback is extremely gifted and has had experience working with both new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and wide receivers coach Justin Stepp from when they coached at Arkansas.

Knox will be the starter if fully healthy this season, but South Carolina football fans need to get familiar with the name Josh Simon quickly. A dynamic receiving tight end, Simon is a South Carolina native who is hungry to show his hometown fans what he can do.

In 1-on-1 drills last week, Simon lined up against promising freshman safety Jalon Kilgore. On the fade route, Kilgore was draped all over Simon with perfect coverage, but Simon lept up and plucked the ball out of the air just inches past the outstretched fingers of Kilgore. It was just a glimpse of what #6 in garnet and black could do this year.

Even in the Garnet and Black Spring Game, Simon was one of three top targets for Gamecock quarterbacks along with Knox and Juice Wells. Fans should expect to see Simon play a lot in 2023, even if he never is listed as the starter. He’s too good to keep off the field, and that will become apparent sooner rather than later.