2023 Spring Media Information

After consecutive campaigns wherein the Gamecocks exceeded preseason expectations, pleasure is at a fever pitch to see what’s in retailer for 2023 as South Carolina Soccer opens its annual spring camp.

The Gamecocks, starting the third season of the Shane Beamer Period, are coming off an 8-5 season, together with a 4-4 mark within the SEC, a one-game enchancment each total and within the SEC, from the 7-6, 3-5 ledger that was posted in Coach Beamer’s first yr in 2021. The 2022 season was highlighted by three wins over top-15 opponents, because the Gamecocks knocked off No. 13 Kentucky, No. 5 Tennessee and No. 7 Clemson, the ultimate two in back-to-back weeks that wrapped up the common season. The 2022 season additionally noticed Carolina prime Texas A&M for the primary time at school historical past, and proceed its mastery over Vanderbilt, defeating the Commodores for the 14th-consecutive time.

By successful eight video games in a season for simply the fifteenth time in 129 seasons of intercollegiate soccer and for the primary time since successful eight in 2017, the Gamecock completed the 2022 season ranked twenty third within the nation in each the ultimate Related Press and USA In the present day Coaches’ polls. It marked the primary time since 2013 that the Gamecocks completed the season ranked within the top-25 and simply the tenth time Carolina has completed the season ranked within the closing AP ballot.

With 15 wins on the helm of Gamecock Soccer, Coach Beamer has matched the varsity report for wins in his first two seasons in Columbia. After successful simply six video games mixed within the two seasons previous to Coach Beamer’s arrival, coupled with arrival of the nation’s Sixteenth-ranked recruiting class, it’s no surprise expectations across the program have ratcheted up immensely within the 15 months since Coach Beamer was employed.

However there’s nonetheless loads of work to be achieved between now and September to maintain that trajectory on the right track. After one other low season of high-intensity exercises led by energy & conditioning coach Luke Day and his workers, the subsequent step takes place on the sphere with 15 spring practices.

Most who observe Gamecock Soccer are paying consideration this spring to see what the offense will appear like in 2023 underneath the steerage of first-year offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains. Loggains, who has spent the previous two seasons because the tight ends coach at Arkansas, brings a wealth of expertise from the NFL, the place he logged stints with six totally different organizations over 16 years, together with seven seasons as an offensive coordinator. Coach Beamer recognized Loggains early within the course of following the departure of Marcus Satterfield, and was in a position to lure him away from his alma mater, turning over the keys of an offense that confirmed appreciable enchancment in 2022 to him. The one different low season teaching change additionally got here on the offensive aspect of the ball, the place Lonnie Teasley, who served as an interim offensive line coach in 2022, takes over that function in a full-time capability, changing Greg Adkins, who stays on workers in an analyst function.

As is the case with most groups because the creation of the switch portal and NIL, the Carolina roster for 2023 has been revamped, and within the case of some place teams, utterly overhauled.

The Gamecocks return 37 lettermen from final yr’s squad, 13 on offense, 20 on the defensive aspect of the ball, and 4 specialists. Amongst that group are 10 returning starters, 4 on each offense and protection, and two specialists. Coach Beamer and his workers backfilled the losses of 31 lettermen together with 14 starters, with eight scholarship transfers who enrolled in January and a 24-man recruiting class, lots of whom are already on campus.

Whereas the variety of returnees isn’t essentially massive, a number of gamers return at key positions, headlined by quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler threw for over 3,000 yards in his first season in Columbia and acquired higher because the season progressed, handing over his greatest performances within the regular-season upset wins over Tennessee and Clemson, throwing for 798 yards and eight touchdowns in these two contests. Whereas not technically thought of a returning starter, Rattler has his prime receiving goal in Antwane Wells Jr. again for an additional season. “Juice” was a first-team All-SEC performer in his first yr with the Garnet & Black after catching 68 passes for 928 yards.

The highest returners for defensive coordinator Clayton White are defensive deal with Tonka Hemingway, who had 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks a yr in the past, and Freshman All-American security Nick Emmanwori. The protection will probably be buoyed by the return of linebacker Mohamed Kaba and EDGE rusher Jordan Strachan, each of whom suffered season-ending knee accidents early within the 2022 marketing campaign.

The Gamecock particular groups have been merely the very best within the nation in 2022 and determine to be a energy once more in 2023 underneath the course of Pete Lembo. All-American punter Kai Kroeger returns, as does placekicker Mitch Jeter, who has but to overlook a subject purpose in a sport. Additionally returning are deep snapper Hunter Rogers, who was a 2022 all-league choice, and Xavier Legette, who set the varsity’s single-season kickoff return common report final season.

The highway to succeed in Atlanta and the SEC Championship Sport will probably be difficult, because the Gamecocks need to navigate what has been documented because the hardest schedule within the nation. The primary steps in making that journey turn out to be a actuality start within the spring.

OFFENSE
The Gamecock offense made constructive strides total in 2022, scoring over 32 factors per sport, almost 10 greater than the earlier yr, however they wish to turn out to be a extra constant offense week-to-week. Ball safety will probably be a focus, because the Gamecocks have been on the backside of the league in turnovers surrendered over the previous two years. A lot of Dowell Loggains resolution to come back to South Carolina hinged on the return of quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler is the group’s lone returning captain and has next-level capability. He has loads of targets to work with, led by All-SEC performer Antwane Wells Jr. Returnees Ahmarean Brown, Dakereon Joyner and Xavier Legette and switch Eddie Lewis present veteran choices at huge receiver. The tight finish room has been utterly overhauled, with transfers Trey Knox and Joshua Simon anticipated to make rapid contributions. Just like the tight finish place, the operating again room can have a brand new look as nicely. Juju McDowell is the highest returner, however switch Mario Anderson figures to compete for a beginning function as he makes the leap from the Division II degree. The offensive line misplaced a variety of management to commencement in long-time starters Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn and Dylan Wonnum, however a number of gamers have sport expertise, led by left deal with Jaylen Nichols and left guard Jakai Moore. Trai Jones, Vershon Lee and Tyshawn Wannamaker determine to get lengthy seems as potential starters when spring ball begins. Graduate switch inside lineman Nick Gargiulo captained the Yale group final yr and will work his means into the lineup in addition to he transitions to the SEC and main faculty soccer.

DEFENSE
The Carolina protection seems to construct off one other yr wherein they have been once more among the many SEC leaders in turnovers pressured and boasted one of many league’s prime move defenses, however will focus this spring on stopping the run. Defensive coordinator Clayton White is wanting ahead to beginning again over from a group standpoint. It’s the third time White and his workers are instructing the system, so they need to be capable to train it slightly quicker and slightly extra thorough. The spring will assist decide who will emerge as playmakers on the linebacker and EDGE positions. The energy of the protection could also be within the inside of the road the place Tonka Hemingway, Alex Huntley, Nick Barrett and T.J. Sanders, together with JUCO defensive deal with Elijah Davis headline a proficient group. Jordan Strachan and Terrell Dawkins return on the EDGE place, however each are coming off season-ending knee accidents and hope to be at full energy this fall. The linebacking corps will get a giant elevate within the fall when Mohamed Kaba returns. The defensive backs have some expertise, as three freshmen began the bowl sport, led by Freshman All-American Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith. Marcellas Dial figures to be the highest cowl nook.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gamecocks boasted the top-ranked particular groups models within the nation final season, and the corps group returns in 2023, which bodes nicely for Phil Steele’s 2022 Particular Groups Coach of the Yr Pete Lembo. Highlighting the returnees is All-American punter Kai Kroeger. Kroeger additionally was a finalist for the Mortell Award, which matches to the nation’s prime holder, and is an ideal 6-for-6 in his profession passing the ball. Talking of being good, placekicker Mitch Jeter related on all 11 of his subject purpose makes an attempt final season, together with two from past 50 yards. Xavier Legette set the varsity’s single-season report with a 29.4-yard common on 15 kick returns in 2022, together with one which he took 100 yards to the home towards Texas A&M. Punt return duties will probably be up for grabs, however switch Eddie Lewis earned second-team All-AAC honors as a returner a Memphis final season, and may get a protracted have a look at dealing with these duties. Snapper Hunter Rogers earned All-SEC honors.