53 days until kickoff, a look at South Carolina football's number 53 Vershon Lee

There are 53 days left on the calendar until the 2024 version of the South Carolina football team takes the field in week 1.

One of the key players on the Gamecock offense this season will be #53 Vershon Lee. The versatile offensive lineman has starts at tackle, guard, and center in his career, but he is believed to be the best center on the roster. He started at the position in the Garnet and Black Spring Game and should be the man for the job when the season starts at the end of August.

Lee is a smart player (an important trait for a center), and he has had some good moments in his career as a pass protector. He was the top-rated offensive lineman on the team last year according to PFF, and the rating system backs up what South Carolina football fans observed with their eyes in 2023. Lee was the best player up front for most of the year, both at center and right tackle.

This year, if Lee can anchor an offensive line that improves (not a hard thing considering the struggles and injuries that doomed the unit last fall), the Gamecock offense will be improved. Carolina has a bette running back room this year, and despite losing All-American Xavier Legette, the receiver group is better overall than it was a season ago. LaNorris Sellers is not Spencer Rattler, but his athleticism and style of play could work nicely to help cover up the warts present if the non-Lee members of the offensive line struggle.

Vershon Lee has made some noise this offseason with preseason All-SEC distinctions. If those projections play out, the Gamecocks will be better because of it.

The Virginia native will get the chance to take on a Virginia-based team in the season opener as the Old Dominion Monarchs will be the Gamecocks' first opponent at Williams-Brice Stadium this fall. The matchup is set for August 31st and will kick at 4:15 PM ET and will be broadcast on the SEC Network and streamed on the ESPN app.