5 reasons to believe South Carolina football can be better than expected on offense

5 Reasons South Carolina Football Will Be Better on Offense in 2024:
Health and Depth

Last year's Gamecock squad was decimated by injuries on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line was hit exceptionally hard as 9 players up front had injuries that caused them to miss multiple games (6 missed at least 10 games), and 3 others played through more-than-minor injuries. Several key wide receivers missed games (including the Juice Wells saga), and All-American Xavier Legette was banged up for part of the year. Starting tight end Trey Knox missed time, too.

In short, while there were opportunities for the Gamecocks to perform better on offense last year, the injuries made the job significantly more difficult.

2024 should be different.

It doesn't seem likely that Carolina will deal with as many players missing time this fall. By the opening game in 2023 against North Carolina, multiple offensive linemen were already out for the season, while no one on the offensive side of the ball has had any reported major injuries this preseason.

The depth on offense is improved, as well. As part of their make-sure-2023-never-happens-again efforts, Shane Beamer and his coaching staff made a commitment to add to their team's depth through the transfer portal.

Now, there are 14 offensive linemen who have collegiate starting experience or were elite prospects coming out of high school. Wide receiver, a group that severely underperformed last season outside of Xavier Legette, has 5 players with starting experience, and two of the ones who don't (true freshman Mazeo Bennett and redshirt freshman Vandrevius Jacobs) have been really good since arriving on campus. The running back position had no depth last year but now has preseason All-SEC 'back Rocket Sanders, experienced player Oscar Adaway, All-MEAC transfer Jawarn Howell, scatback Juju McDowell, and two more former 4-star prospects.

Not only should Gamecock fans expect fewer injuries this season, but the team is better equipped to deal with them if they do come.