Nyck Harbor impresses and other observations from South Carolina football’s Sunday practice

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football held practice on Sunday morning, a day after the Gamecocks’ first scrimmage of the 2024 preseason.

Coach Shane Beamer said Saturday that the scrimmage consisted of about 103 reps, giving South Carolina a chance to play in Williams-Brice Stadium before the season opener on Aug. 31 against Old Dominion.

Sunday marked the ninth practice for the Gamecocks, who officially began their preseason on Aug. 2. Here are observations and notes from practice:

South Carolina football injury update from Aug. 11

Beamer listed eight players that didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage, but said he believed everyone would be back by Sunday.

At practice on Sunday, offensive linemen Markee Anderson and Jakai Moore were once again working with trainers like they were on Friday. Tight end Reid Mikeska, who sat out Saturday’s scrimmage, and running back Bradley Dunn joined Moore and Anderson on the sidelines.

Senior edge rusher Elijah Davis missed the scrimmage and was not seen at practice on Sunday and defensive back Jalewis Solomon was not in full pads.

Beamer got four of the Gamecocks back, most notably running back Rocket Sanders, who didn’t scrimmage on Saturday but was participating in every drill Sunday. Juju McDowell, Vandrevius Jacobs, and Bam Martin-Scott returned as well.

South Carolina’s offense, wide receivers for 2024

For the first time this preseason, South Carolina ran offensive drills during the open media section of practice. Four quarterbacks threw at the same time while the wide receivers rotated catching passes into the end zone.

Beamer made it clear during his press conference Saturday that there is no depth chart right now.

Nyck Harbor, the 6-foot-5 sophomore receiver, had a great snag in the corner of the end zone from sixth-year transfer Davis Beville. The 6-6 quarterback has spent two years at Pittsburgh and two at Oklahoma. It’s unlikely he gets reps this season, as Beamers hinted the No. 2 option is Auburn transfer Robby Ashford.

Freshman tight end Mike Smith impresses Shane Beamer

During a goal line 1-on-1 drill, freshman tight end Michael Smith made a great play to separate himself from Nick Emmanwori and complete the pass from Ashford before falling out of bounds.

The play happened right in front of Beamer, who let his rookie know he saw and appreciated that play. Smith also scored a touchdown on Saturday.

The Gamecocks are without former tight end Trey Knox this season who was an NFL free agent signee with the Minnesota Vikings. Knox caught 37 passes for 312 yards last season and scored twice. South Carolina does return sixth-year player Josh Simon, whose expected to be the go-to TE this year. He caught 28 passes for 256 yards in 2023.

BEAMER ON SATURDAY: What South Carolina’s Shane Beamer said about first scrimmage, Rocket Sanders’ health

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin