Three South Carolina football roster moves to watch entering season opener vs North Carolina

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer is feeling optimistic as the Gamecocks enter their final week of preseason practice before game preparation begins.

In his third year at the helm of the program, Beamer said this preseason was “gnarlier” in its physicality than seasons past. In a scrimmage closed to the media last Saturday he was particularly pleased with the offense’s stamina over long drives, citing a 16-play touchdown drive and a 14-play two-minute drill by the first team.

As the Gamecocks gear up to face Drake Maye and North Carolina at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 2 (7:30 p.m., ABC), these roster moves that could have a major impact in the season opener:

How Shane Beamer landed Drew Tuazama

South Carolina announced a surprise late addition Sunday in Drew Tuazama, a graduate transfer edge rusher from UAB. Tuazama said on social media last week that he began efforts to leave the Blazers in April, but he was only cleared to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student Aug. 11 after receiving his degree from UAB.

Beamer connected with Tuazama through four-star defensive lineman Elijah Davis. Davis signed with the Gamecocks in 2023 from East Mississippi Community College, and Tuazama played at East Mississippi in 2021 after two seasons Syracuse. When Tuazama officially became available in the transfer portal, Beamer first reached out via direct message on X, formerly known as Twitter. Once the grad transfer arrived on campus, Beamer said he attended a team meeting five minutes after his paperwork was finalized.

Tuazama is immediately eligible and Beamer intends for the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder to play against North Carolina.

Where injury report stands for Week 1

Beamer said South Carolina is in “good shape” injury-wise, and the majority of key contributors are expected to be available against the Tar Heels. Star receiver Antwane Wells Jr., Arkansas tight end transfer Trey Knox and five-star freshman WR Nyckoles Harbor have all missed practices due to injuries, but Beamer said Knox is already back at practice and the receivers should both be cleared by gameday.

Freshman Grayson Howard, a four-star linebacker, is also back to full practice participation after competing in a blue no-contact jersey during open periods last week. The only concern is sixth-year edge Tyreek Johnson, who has been no-contact during all of the team’s open practices. Beamer said Johnson is questionable if not probable to play against North Carolina but is not currently participating.

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What we know about South Carolina’s depth chart

Barring an injury, Beamer said the three seniors — Wells, Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown — will be the starters at wide receiver against North Carolina. He also named most of the secondary starters: sophomores DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori, and seniors Marcellus Dial and O’Donnell Fortune. Fortune is the only first-time starter, but the junior proved himself with an interception returned for a touchdown in the Gator Bowl.

Beamer indicated that the only position where a starter is in question is at offensive tackle. Charlotte transfer Jaxon Hughes, Western Illinois transfer Sidney Fugar, senior Jakai Moore and junior Tyshawn Wannamaker have all taken first team reps at tackle during open practice.

Beamer said there is significant competition for second-string roles at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and defensive tackle. Dakereon Joyner will start as RB1, and Tonka Hemingway is penciled in with Alex Huntley on the defensive line.