Shane Beamer evaluates current state of South Carolina's offense

Shane Beamer’s returning players are above the curve when it comes to retaining conceptual knowledge from last season. The newcomers aren’t far behind — and Beamer is excited about the swift progress his offense has made this spring.

“We have thrown a lot at them so to speak. A lot of it is not, a lot of the passing game concepts are things they know from last year. If you’re new here — if you are Trey Knox or Josh Simon or Eddie Lewis — you don’t know it. It is new for you,” the South Carolina head coach said. “I think just the multiplicities, formations and motions and things like that, we have thrown a lot at them.

“Offensively, our players need to do a great job to learn conceptually. … You can therefore do more things, be dependable and be used in different ways. We’ve thrown a lot at them, but it’s been good teaching, good learning and I like where we are now.”

Knox and Lewis, two wide receivers and Simon a tight end, are three of the biggest offensive wins for the Gamecocks during the early transfer portal window. Simon will be tasked with playing a larger role for the Gamecocks this season after tight ends Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner transferred out of the program. Knox and Lewis should fit in nicely in Beamer’s schemes, whether that be on offense or special teams.

On top of the portal additions, returning QB1 Spencer Rattler is reportedly having one of the best springs of any SEC quarterback. Rattler threw for 3,026 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season — including closing out the year with totals of 1,044 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, one rushing score while throwing just three interceptions in the Gamecocks’ final three games against Tennessee, Clemson and Notre Dame, respectively.

The Gamecocks also return another major offensive contributor from last year. Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells, who finished last year with 68 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns, will be Rattler’s No. 1 option in 2023.

Catch Rattler, Wells and the rest of the South Carolina offense Saturday night under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks’ annual Garnet & Black Spring Football Game. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on SEC Network+. A replay of the scrimmage will air on television at 1 p.m. ET Thursday on the SEC Network.