South Carolina
2023 Results: 5-7, 3-5 SEC
2024 Projection: 4-8, 1-7 SEC
Overview:
The honeymoon period might still be lingering for Shane Beamer, who is a high-energy coach who can find sustained success at the right school. I’m not sure South Carolina is that place. Spencer Rattler is gone and while there are options at quarterback, none of them are proven winners.
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- The South Carolina Gamecocks faced the Tennessee Volunteers in a Southeastern Conference Eastern Division contest on Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Offense:
True freshman LaNorris Sellers will take over at quarterback but will be looking over his shoulder at Auburn transfer Robby Ashford while acclimating to life in the SEC. If Sellers is a phenom and the offensive line can get the push they lacked in the running game last season, the Cocks could surprise us all. Rahiem “Rocket” Sanders was a huge get at the running back position, and the Arkansas transfer could thrive if the aforementioned O-line improves. The wide receiver room has numbers but lacks size and won’t have time to get open if the line gives up 41 sacks like they did in 2023.
Defense:
After a dismal season against the pass, defensive coordinator Clayton White has made the change from a 4-2-5 to a 3-3-5 base to take advantage of the experience returning in the secondary. Jalon Kilgore, DQ Smith, and Nick Emmanwori will anchor that unit but need to be more consistent if Carolina is going to slow down air attacks in the SEC. Debo Williams returns at linebacker and will be the quarterback of this defense, but a few transfers that will have to be replaced by young inexperienced players leave me wondering if this defense will be a repeat of 2023’s.
Special Teams:
Beamer Ball is alive and well and will need to deliver some game-changing performances if the Gamecocks are to overachieve. The place-kicking duties are still undecided, but punter Kai Kroeger is back and you know there will be riverboat gambling from a Beamer-coached team.
Final Thoughts:
With some big departures, led by Spencer Rattler, there are a ton of question marks when it comes to this South Carolina team. I’m not sure they have the answers.
