Dakereon Joyner's impact going far beyond football this holiday season

Even when Dakereon Joyner isn’t playing, he’s still finding a way to make an impact.

On Monday, Joyner hosted his first annual Thanksgiving Drive to donate food for those in need. And it was a big success, as he helped raise 818 pounds of food.

“I want to give a special shoutout to everyone that contributed to making my Thanksgiving Donation day perfect and say THANK YOU! Everything went exactly as planned, and we are prepared to make next Monday (Distribution Day) the best for families in need. Families deserve a Thanksgiving meal and I’m determined to make that happen,” Joyner posted on X.

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To his teammates at South Carolina, this is just who Joyner is.

“He’s a man of God. He’s blessed everyone with his presence,” Mario Anderson said. “DK has taught me a lot of things on the field, outside the field. I really look at him as a brother, that’s family.

“Outside the field, what you see about DK on social media, that’s what you see everyday. He’s very upbeat, he’s very ongoing, he’s very helpful. I’m blessed to be able to have him as a teammate, as a brother of mine and just being able to see him day-to-day and work with him on and off the field. I’m very blessed to have him in my life.”

Even his quarterback shared the same sentiment and sang his praises.

“DK is a real genuine dude. One of the realest guys I’ve ever been around. Great leader,” Spencer Rattler said. “When I came here, he accepted me with open arms and kind of led the way. He’s a big leader on this team, obviously being here a long time. He’s just real unselfish and can do everything.

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On the football field, Joyner’s career has been something else. He came to Columbia in 2018 as a quarterback and lost that battle for the starting position. He then became a wide receiver before moving back to play wildcat quarterback and win the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl MVP.

That’s now led him to this year, where he’s been playing running back. As a result, he won the starting job out of fall camp and has rushed for 115 yards and five touchdowns.

“Obviously, he’s played multiple positions. He’s a really unselfish player. Helped us a lot this year and in years before,” Rattler said.

However, Joyner’s time at South Carolina is reaching its end. Saturday will be the last home game of the year, which will be senior day for him. But there’s a chance he won’t play against Clemson. He’s been dealing with an ankle injury these past few weeks.

“It hurt me to see him get banged up a few weeks ago and not be able to go,” Rattler said. “But hopefully, he can be back soon.”

But Joyner plans to play this weekend, per head coach Shane Beamer.

“DK has assured us he’s playing,” Beamer said. “I don’t doubt him. He was out there practicing in a limited role today.”

Regardless of what happens with Joyner, he’s already left a tremendous legacy at South Carolina.

“Talk about a guy that loves this university, loves this state, loves this community, loves being a Gamecock — that’s him through and through,” Beamer said. “Great spirit about himself all the time. He has done so much for this team, whether it be on special teams, whether it be as a quarterback, wide receiver, running back. He’s just a really good football player, but a great young man that wants to give back to this state and this community.”

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