OFFENSE DEFENSE

South Carolina won just eight games and finished .500 in the SEC, but over an eight-day span in November, the Gamecocks knocked Tennessee and Clemson out of the national playoff picture. Any offense with Spencer Rattler throwing to Juice Wells is going to be good. Produce a running game and develop two more receivers to complement Wells, and you could have a tremendous offense. Last season, the Gamecocks averaged just 3.8 yards a carry and gave up 31 sacks. For those numbers to improve dramatically, the offensive line must improve dramatically. Jakai Moore is the lone proven lineman at the FBS level. Three FCS transfers are among the two-deep, so they must develop quickly. Rattler threw for more than 3,000 yards, but only 18 TDs. Wells caught 68 for 928 yards. Eddie Lewis from Memphis and Trey Knox from Arkansas must step up to give Rattler more options.

Last season, the Gamecocks’ defense lagged behind most SEC counterparts. Opponents ran on South Carolina for 4.9 yards a pop and converted 43.4 percent on third down. South Carolina forced just 23 turnovers and totaled only 20 sacks. The portal didn’t produce any significant help for the defense, so the Gamecocks are counting on a year of development manifesting in improvement on the field. End Tonka Hemingway not only has the coolest name on the defense, he’s also the best playmaker with eight stops behind the line. That total may decrease this year if no one else asserts themselves around him. Linebacker Debo Williams is solid, but the secondary is asked to make way too many tackles. Nick Emmanwori was up to that task with 62 solo stops last season, almost twice as many as any teammate. Marcellus Dial had three picks and broke up 12 passes.

Special Teams

Special Teams

2023 Schedule Newcomers

Markee Anderson, OL — Anderson ranked No. 7 as an interior offensive lineman. Given the Gamecocks’ low numbers upfront, he may see action early.

Nyckoles Harbor, WR — The big target at 6’5”, 225 has run a 10.3 100m and was ranked the No. 15 player coming out of high school. It wouldn’t be a shocker to see him at defensive end.

Jalon Kilgore, S — The athletic safety had a terrific spring.

Grayson Howard, LB — The No. 9 linebacker in the nation enrolled in December and participated in bowl practices.

Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

2022 RECORD: 11-2 (6-2)

FOUNDED: 1794

STADIUM: Neyland (102,455)