Four players who could be impactful on special teams for South Carolina

Spring football is almost here for South Carolina. This means for a fresh opportunity for players, new and old, to chisel out roles early on.

Most times when a player struggles to find playing time at their natural position, chances to help out on special teams aren’t far away.

Before spring practice begins on Tuesday, let’s take a look at who could make the biggest impact on special teams for the Gamecocks.

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Xavier Legette

Even before the final game of last season, Legette knew he wanted to come back to South Carolina. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

The fifth-year senior not only returns as a veteran wide receiver but also as a valuable kick returner.

Legette returned 15 kicks for 441 yards, averaging a school-record 29.4 yards per attempt. If given space, he can be dangerous.

Even when he doesn’t have all the space in the world, he can still make something happen. He proved it last year when he broke off multiple Texas A&M tacklers for a 100-yard touchdown on the opening play.

Eddie Lewis

When Lewis first entered the transfer portal, it wasn’t long before he started receiving interest from Pete Lembo.

“As soon as I hit the portal, probably about a little after four hours in there, I got a call from one of my former coaches that coached at Memphis asked me if I knew anything about USC,” Lewis remembered. “A few moments after that, I spoke to a friend of mine, Calvin Austin, that played with me at Memphis. He told me that he spoke to coach Lembo. Right after that, I wound up speaking to coach Lembo. … He is a special teams guy, I am a special teams guy along with playing receiver. It went well.”

After connecting with Lembo, he transferred from Memphis to South Carolina.

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Lewis isn’t just a quality receiver but also a solid punt returner. He returned 27 punts for 255 yards and one score with the Tigers last year.

There’s going to be a void at punt returner left by Josh Vann, giving Lewis a chance to help right away.

“I feel like I’m explosive,” Lewis said. “I’m a playmaker at the end of the day. I take that to heart. Give me the ball in space and I’m going to make something happen.”

Nick Elksnis

Elksnis transfers from Florida without much of a resume as a tight end. He didn’t record any stats with the Gators.

Coming into his first season at South Carolina, he’ll have to fight for reps against proven tight ends Trey Knox and Joshua Simon, both transfers as well.

And Elksnis knows this. He’s made it clear that he’s willing to help out on special teams, similarly to how he did in Gainesville.

“That’s always been something I’ve prided myself on as a tight end.  I was at Florida and I came in after Kyle Pitts and I know I’m not Kyle Pitts. I’m not a wide receiver in a tight end’s body, but I knew what I was good at, and that kind of plays into special teams,” Elksnis said. “Knowing who Pete Lembo is and talking to all the players here and people I know who have played under him before, I’m excited to play with him because I know at my position, you have to play special teams at the next level. If I want to get there, I don’t think there’s anyone better to play for.”

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Elksnis believes his ability to block could be what separates him in the spring.

“That’s definitely something we did a lot of at Florida last year, and I’m looking to bring that over,” he said. “I know I can always improve on anything, so I’m looking forward to doing that in spring ball. I’d say right now my strong suit is blocking.”

Dakereon Joyner

After Joyner’s breakout bowl game performance in 2021, he looked destined to be a cog in South Carolina’s future success. But it didn’t roll that way.

As a receiver, Joyner only caught eight passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. He threw three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, as well.

Although, he did find a way to help on special teams. As he lined up in a punt formation against Florida, Kai Kroeger found a wide-open Joyner for a 48-yard touchdown.

With South Carolina having a host of talented receivers, it wouldn’t be surprising for Lembo to continue to use Joyner’s gifts on special teams.

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