Shane Beamer reveals who has stepped up as leaders in South Carolina's locker room

Expectations weren’t really high last season for Shane Beamer’s first season as the head coach at South Carolina, but the Gamecocks won seven games and impressed many around the nation. Now, Beamer is hoping to achieve even greater things in his second year with the Gamecocks.

In order to continue building up the program, Beamer knows that he is going to need leaders to step up in South Carolina’s locker room. As the offseason winds down and the beginning of next season inches closer, that’s exactly what Beamer has seen.

“Well naturally, starting offensively, we return every single offensive lineman,” Beamer said. “Every starter and backup that we had returns, and three seniors within that group on the offensive line, actually four I guess is what it is. So we’ve got some natural leaders that have been around this program and have played a lot of football for us on the offensive line.

“And then talking about the offensive line on offense and their leadership, we’ve really got the same situation on defense with a lot of returners. Guys up front, guys like Zacch Pickens and M.J. Webb on our defensive line who have been here for a long time and have played a lot of football for us. And Brad Johnson, Sherrod Greene at linebacker.”

Beamer sees a lot of ‘hungry’ veterans on South Carolina’s roster

South Carolina’s season begins on Sept. 3 at home against Georgia State, and the Gamecocks then open SEC play over the following two weeks against Arkansas and Georgia. South Carolina will be tested out of the gates, and Beamer knows that the hunger from his team will play a big role in the success during the 2022 season.

“So we’ve got a bunch of older guys that are hungry, and really proud of them,” continued Beamer. “And that’s just a few. I mean we’ve got a lot of guys – younger guys, older guys, offense, defense special teams – that are trying to do the right things to lead this team.”

Another player that has stepped up for South Carolina in Beamer’s eyes is Spencer Rattler. Rattler is set to enter his first year with the Gamecocks after transferring in from Oklahoma, and he had a simple and slow approach to incorporating himself into the locker room.

“Spencer Rattler I think has taken a step this summer,” Beamer added. “He came in in January, and he didn’t try to force himself upon anyone. It was just come in here and become a member of the team and earn the respect of his teammates. And he has done that. I’ve seen him take a step this summer.”