South Carolina football is replacing a lot of talent on offense this year.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette (1st round, Carolina Panthers), quarterback Spencer Rattler (5th round, New Orleans Saints), and Nick Gargiulo (7th round, Denver Broncos) were all taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, and players like running back/wide receiver/quarterback Dakereon Joyner, wide receiver Ahmarean Brown, and tight end Trey Knox all have spent time with NFL franchises already this spring.
The Gamecocks lost a few more contributors to graduation or retirement (most notably offensive linemen Trai Jones and Tyshawn Wannamaker and wide receiver Eddie Lewis) and some to the transfer portal (including running back Mario Anderson, wide receiver Juice Wells, and wide receiver O'Mega Blake, and offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols), too.
Even so, there is optimism around the program that this fall's offense could take a step up from the 2023 season. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is heading into his second year at the helm, and a trio of coaching changes (Marquel Blackwell, running backs coach; Mike Furrey, wide receivers coach; Shawn Elliott, tight ends coach/run game coordinator) all feel like upgrades.
The team also has recruited well, both from the high school ranks and from the transfer portal. The South Carolina football coaching staff felt they needed a lot of help at running back and wide receiver, so they brought in eight new players from the transfer portal and three from high school at those two positions. Offensive line depth and backup quarterback were issues, as well, and newcomers at each spot could factor into the two-deep this season.
With all of the changes around the Gamecock offense this offseason, what might the two-deep look like when USC takes the field for the season opener against Old Dominion on August 31st?