South Carolina Football: 5 things to watch during the Garnet and Black Spring Game

South Carolina Football's 5 Things to Watch During the Spring Game:
Which of the Newcomers Are Ready to Play?

This offseason, South Carolina football signed a top-12 high school recruiting class based on average player rating and a top-10 overall transfer portal class.

Some of these players will be asked to be major contributors in their first year with the program. Several of the transfers were brought in with the clear plan of filling a starting spot, while a couple of true freshmen could force their way into the starting lineup this season, as well.

During the spring game, Gamecock fans will be on the lookout for names and jersey numbers that are new to them.

Of the transfers, names like Kyle Kennard (defensive end/EDGE; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets), Deandre Jules (defensive tackle; Pittsburgh Panthers), Demetrius Knight (linebacker; Charlotte 49ers), Jared Brown (wide receiver; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers), Gage Larvadain (wide receiver; Miami (OH) Redhawks), Oscar Adaway (running back; North Texas Mean Green), Jawarn Howell (running back; South Carolina State Bulldogs), Brady Hunt (tight end; Ball State Cardinals), Robby Ashford (quarterback; Auburn Tigers), Torricelli Simpkins (offensive line; North Carolina Central Eagles), and Kamaar Bell (offensive line; Florida Atlantic Owls) should be heard a lot on Saturday.

In the freshman class, Gamecock fans should be on the lookout for Dylan Stewart (5-star defensive end/EDGE), Wendell Gregory (4-star linebacker/EDGE), Fred "JayR" Johnson (4-star linebacker/EDGE), Kelvin Hunter (4-star safety), Mazeo Bennett (4-star wide receiver), and Josiah Thompson (5-star offensive tackle) could get significant playing time on Saturday.

USC will need plenty of these first-year players to contribute during the 2024 season, and Saturday will be the fanbase's first opportunity to check them out.