Projecting South Carolina’s depth chart as preseason camp kicks off

South Carolina football

opens training camp Friday in the first tangible step toward the 2022 regular season. Here’s a look at what USC’s depth chart should look like entering the fall:

South Carolina offense

▪ Quarterback

Starter: Spencer Rattler

Backups: Luke Doty, Tanner Bailey, Colten Gauthier

No surprises here. Spencer Rattler is the guy, even if Beamer hasn’t officially named him QB1 yet.

Things get a bit interesting behind Rattler. Luke Doty was the starter a season ago before a foot injury derailed his year. He should be pushed by Tanner Bailey — a four-star signee in the 2022 class — and an older Colten Gauthier, who benefited from his redshirt season.

▪ Running back

Starter: MarShawn Lloyd

Backups: Christian Beal-Smith, Juju McDowell, Lovasea Carroll, Rashad Amos

I’ll go on a limb and say MarShawn Lloyd returns to his pre-ACL tear self and snags the starting job from Wake Forest transfer Christian Beal-Smith.

That said, Beal-Smith is going to play plenty this fall and it’s not totally inconceivable he and Lloyd simply split the starter reps given the tandem’s talent.

The Gamecocks are deep at running back for the second-straight year. Don’t be surprised if Carroll, a Georgia transfer, and Amos get a touch here or there as we get into the season.

▪ Receiver

Starters: Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., Corey Rucker, Josh Vann, Dakereon Joyner

Backups: Xavier Legette, Ahmarean Brown, Jalen Brooks, Landon Samson

South Carolina is deeeeep at receiver this fall. Early reports from the offseason suggest Corey Rucker could be a surprise star for this offense in 2022. Wells, too, is expected to be a game-breaker alongside Josh Vann and Dakereon Joyner.

Xavier Legette, Ahmarean Brown and Jalen Brooks should all factor into the equation in some capacity, though how much remains to be seen. Receivers coach Justin Stepp has ample options here, and the offense should take a step forward simply through how talented this group can be top to bottom.

▪ Tight end

Starters: Jaheim Bell, Austin Stogner

Backups: Nate Adkins, Traevon Kenion, Zavier Short

Jaheim Bell is going to play just about everywhere on the field. He’s already lined up at receiver, tailback, fullback and tight end over the last year, and that shouldn’t change.

Adding Austin Stogner was a coup for South Carolina. He had options at both Iowa State and Ohio State after leaving Oklahoma and should be a big piece to unlocking the passing game with Rattler this fall.

Nate Adkins, the son of USC offensive line coach Greg Adkins, should see plenty of time as a blocker and in some goal line sets. I like his chances to be a sneaky difference-maker in a game or two.

▪ Offensive line

Starters: Jaylen Nichols (LT) , Vershon Lee (LG) , Eric Douglas (C), Jovaughn Gwyn (RG) Dylan Wonnum (RT)

Backups: Jakai Moore, Tyshawn Wannamaker, Hank Manos

South Carolina’s offensive line was a mess in 2021. For better or worse, almost the entire unit outside of Jazston Turnetine — who transferred to Florida State — is back in the fold this year.

The Gamecocks are older and experienced on the line, but they’ll need to have a better grasp of the blocking schemes Adkins and Satterfield need out of the group. If they take a step forward, the offensive ceiling shifts tremendously.

South Carolina defense

▪ Defensive end/edge rusher

Starters: Jordan Burch, Jordan Strachan

Backups: Terrell Dawkins, Gilber Edmond

Jordan Burch and Jordan Strachan are the names to know here. Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare and Aaron Sterling are gone. It’ll fall on the “Jordans” to fill their roles.

Burch has all the talent in the world and his five-star recruiting ranking suggested as much. That said, he hasn’t put it all together yet. If he does, along with Strachan’s experience from his time at Georgia State, this group can change the complexion of the defense.

▪ Defensive tackle

Starters: Zacch Pickens, Alex “Boogie” Huntley

Backups: M.J. Webb, T.J. Sanders, Tonka Hemingway

Zacch Pickens is the big piece here. He’s a guy who could end up being a first-round NFL Draft pick next April and he’s expected to be the anchor of the entire defensive line.

Alex Huntley had a big game in South Carolina’s win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year. It’s anticipated he’ll take another step forward with an increased role.

▪ Linebacker

Starters: Brad Johnson, Sherrod Greene

Backups: Mo Kaba, Stone Blanton

Getting Brad Johnson and Sherrod Greene back was a crucial step for the defense this season. Both could’ve pursued professional opportunities or concluded their careers elsewhere, but they’re back in the fold.

Johnson should benefit from another offseason after transitioning from defensive end to linebacker last fall. Assuming Greene is fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2021 season in Week 3 at Georgia, he and Johnson should be the starters.

Kaba is a former four-star recruit who saw plenty of time in place of Greene last year. He could push for a starting gig if either Johnson’s or Greene’s play slip.

▪ Cornerback/nickel

Starters: Cam Smith, Darius Rush, David Spaulding

Backups: Marcellas Dial, Isaiah Norris, O’Donnell Fortune

Cam Smith is South Carolina’s biggest name in the secondary. He’s a projected first-round pick and should be the face of the group. The thought is he’ll play both corner and nickel, though how he splits time between those two spots.

Darius Rush should hold down the other corner spot opposite Smith, while Spaulding is the likeliest other option at nickel.

Marcellas Dial, Isaiah Norris and O’Donnell Fortune all have positional flexibility and can likely play both the nickel and cornerback. Expect them to all factor into the rotation.

▪ Safety

Starters: Devonni Reed, R.J. Roderick

Backups: Tyrese Ross, Nick Emmanwori

Jaylan Foster is off to the NFL, leaving Central Michigan transfer Devonni Reed to fill his slot alongside R.J. Roderick.

The Gamecocks are thin behind the front line of Reed and Roderick. Tyrese Ross was expected to be a depth piece a year ago, but South Carolina might need more from him. Emmanwori was a monster at Irmo during his high school career and could crack the lineup if injuries or ineffectiveness pop up.

Special Teams

▪ Kicker

Starter: Alex Herrera/Mitch Jeter

Backups: TBD

South Carolina has to replace all-time leading scorer Parker White. That’ll fall on Mitch Jeter or Alex Herrera.

Jeter and Herrera both held kickoff duties at varying times last season. Jeter held down the fort for the bulk of he season, including a 63 yard average on his kicks.

This competition should last into camp, but truly could go either way.

▪ Punter

Starter: Kai Kroeger

Backup: Mitch Jeter, Alex Herrera

Kai Kroeger has quickly evolved into a weapon for South Carolina on special teams. The Chicago-area product could be a fringe All-SEC caliber guy in 2022 assuming all goes well.

Hale McGranahan of The Big Spur reported earlier this week that Kroeger is dealing with an injury, and it’s unclear whether that will last into the season.

If Kroeger is down for any time, expect Jeter or Herrera to take snaps in his place.