Looking at best matchups heading into South Carolina spring game

The time has almost come. South Carolina’s 2023 Garnet and Black Spring Game is one day away. For many, it’ll be the first look at what the team will look like before the season officially starts.

One of the more unique aspects of the game will be seeing guys who normally don’t go up against each other unless it’s in practice. Here are some matchups to keep an eye on for Saturday night.

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Juice Wells vs. O’Donnell Fortune

A lot of Saturday’s contest will feature the best on best at each position. Any wide receiver-defensive back battle should be very interesting to watch.

However, the one that should stand out most will be that of Wells against Fortune if they’re pitted against each other. Wells was South Carolina’s leading receiver last season and arguably one of the best in the SEC. No matter the time of year, he should give fits for any defender.

It’ll be an early but big test for Fortune, who had some breakout plays last year. He’s in line to be one of the Gamecocks’ top defensive backs with Cam Smith and Darius Rush leaving for the NFL Draft.

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Nick Gargiulo vs. TJ Sanders

The biggest, and arguably most underrated, battles take place in the trenches. One that stands out is Gargiulo lining up at center with Sanders in his way, again if those two are on separate teams.

Unsurprisingly, they both possess plenty of size. Gargiulo, a Yale transfer, stands at a measly 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. So how can Sanders compete with that? Well, he’s just as big. He’s also 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds.

Both have received a lot of praise throughout the spring and it will all culminate in one big battle at the line of scrimmage.

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LaNorris Sellers vs. Clayton White’s defense

For someone that won’t be starting this year, there’s been a lot of talk of what Sellers can do.

Sellers, a four-star freshman quarterback, is not only a great passer but a solid runner as well. He ran for 1,338 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at South Florence High School last year.

And so far in practice, he’s made his presence as a dual-threat player loud and clear.

“If we leave a gap open or a seam, and he got an opportunity to run, he’s going to take it, man,” EDGE Tyreek Johnson said. “He’s just so fast.”

When Sellers does get into the game, it’ll provide a nice challenge for South Carolina’s defense. Under White, the Gamecocks ranked No. 117 in the country in rushing defense, allowing 198 yards per game.

Sellers won’t be running around a whole lot since the quarterbacks won’t be taking hits. But he should still be able to show off what he can do as a passer.

Dowell Loggains vs. Clayton White

It’s going to be the main event of the evening. The public will finally get to see what Loggains’ offense can do against White’s tough defense.

This will be the first time Loggains will be calling plays as the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator in a game setting. He takes over for Marcus Satterfield, who left to join Matt Rhule at Nebraska in the same role.

Many of his players have said nothing but good things about the type of play caller he’ll be. It’s a good sign that he’s allowing them to have a say in what does and doesn’t work offensively.

Heading into this season, Loggains will have plenty of talent to work with, starting at quarterback with Spencer Rattler. And they’ll get their first crack at showing everyone what they can do under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday night.

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