South Carolina football: 5 biggest storylines ahead of Saturday’s spring game

The ambiance inside Williams-Brice Stadium ought to be rocking on Saturday night time when Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks look to take the following step in this system’s improvement with the annual Garnet and Black recreation.

Spencer Rattler will get the majority of the eye, together with the night time ambiance, which is exclusive throughout faculty soccer. Whereas there are a number of gamers out or restricted, together with broad receiver Dakereon Joyner, defensive lineman Rick Sandidge, defensive again David Spaulding and broad again Jaheim Bell and linebacker Mo Kaba, will probably be attention-grabbing to see who fits up and who steps up.

There’s additionally a kicking competitors that shapes as much as be attention-grabbing because the Gamecocks substitute Parker White.

Listed here are the 5 greatest storylines forward of Saturday’s spring recreation:

Dakereon Joyner

One of the crucial versatile gamers in current reminiscence, Joyner has been considerably restricted this spring, however may very well be a Swiss Military-type participant for the reason that quarterback place seems settled with Rattler. Joyner is coming off an MVP efficiency within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and has the expertise of taking part in in 32 video games over 4 seasons. However that is additionally the third 12 months working primarily at broad receiver. Joyer was additionally named to the Related Press All-Bowl Crew, and final 12 months served as a group captain in 4 video games: East Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Auburn. Whereas lots will likely be made from Josh Vann, Joyner can have loads of possibilities to make huge performs, and that will likely be wanted if the Gamecocks really construct on final 12 months’s win whole.

Recruits, ambiance

Shane Beamer understands that recruits usually make choices on commitments due to occasions and atmospheres just like the Gamecocks can have Saturday night time. In any case, the choice to have the sport at night time clearly took that philosophy and actuality in thoughts. Beamer additionally recalled how being on the Georgia employees for Kirby Good (and prized 5-star QB Jacob Eason’s) first spring recreation, the so-called “93K Day” helped Georgia land a number of notable recruits.

The Gamecocks don’t but have a dedication for the 2023 class, so search for this occasion to supply some bulletins within the coming weeks.

TJ Sanders

The fan base already is aware of lots about Zacch Pickens and Jordan Burch, however among the many gamers and coaches, there aren’t too many gamers getting extra hype than Sanders, who has steadily gained a powerful popularity on the defensive position. The Gamecocks have loads of motive to imagine one of many strengths of the group would be the defensive position, and Sanders, a 6-5, 300-pounder, is a giant motive. He appeared in simply 2 video games final season, Jap Illinois and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl towards North Carolina, however has impressed on the scout group towards the beginning offensive line.

Backup QBs

Provided that Rattler is settled into the beginning job, the pure consideration turns to the likes of Luke Doty, who could also be restricted, true freshman Braden Davis, and 2nd-year QB Colten Gauthier. If current historical past is any indication, the Gamecocks might have a number of quarterbacks within the fall, and Gauthier, who remained the highest-rated recruit to undergo the teaching change from Will Muschamp, has acquired excessive reward from the teaching employees.

“Colten is executing issues on the line of scrimmage proper now that NFL quarterbacks are doing now,” offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield beforehand stated, per the Charlotte Observer. “We’re not we’re not executing like NFL quarterbacks but, however from the psychological standpoint of really figuring out the ‘why,’ I believe that’s fairly cool that he’s already to that time.”

With the way in which offseason exercises are, there are numerous tales of younger quarterbacks discovering a particular reference to

New operating backs

MarShawn Lloyd and Juju McDowell might get probably the most consideration, however the Gamecocks introduced in a number of notable transfers within the backfield alone, together with Christian Beal-Smith, who led Wake Forest in speeding final season and is anticipated to be a giant a part of the offense. Lovasea Carroll, a transformed defensive again, is one other piece to the puzzle.

For Beal-Smith, final season he scored 9 touchdowns whereas including 131 carries and 604 yards, a 12 months after he rushed for 732 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2020. Working backs coach Montario Hardesty has famous that Beal-Smith was a captain and particular groups participant at Wake Forest, and is nice in go safety.

Carroll, who performed operating again in highschool, brings velocity to the desk, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the teaching employees integrates this quartet.