South Carolina Football: 5 Gamecocks who could blow up in 2023
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina football players who could blow up in 2023:
Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard
Pup Howard is one of the most popular young freshmen on the team, along with 5-star wide receiver Nyck Harbor and quarterback of the future LaNorris Sellers. The fact that an out-of-state linebacker prospect is close to the same level of popularity as a 5-star potential Olympian and the high-upside, in-state quarterback of the future tells fans all they need to know about Pup Howard.
He has an infectious personality and will be a leader on this team in short order. Plus, the Jacksonville, Florida native is a pretty dang good football player, as well.
At 6’4″ and 242 pounds, the 4-star prospect is already the biggest true linebacker on the team, something that could be a big factor in helping fix the Gamecock run defense deficiencies from 2022. Despite not yet playing a single collegiate game, Howard has ascended to the #2 spot on the depth chart behind sophomore Stone Blanton and will play a lot.
Howard, though a big ‘backer, is not just a thumper. He is a good athlete who was a tackling machine in high school, the type of player who can range from sideline to sideline in pursuit of ball carriers.
Howard missed part of fall camp with an undisclosed injury but appears to be full-go heading into the season opener. Fellow linebackers Blanton and Mo Kaba are also injury concerns, meaning that #5’s reps could be that much more impactful for defensive coordinator Clayton White’s unit.
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