Looking at South Carolina's potential SEC Media Day candidates

Shane Beamer will attend the 2022 SEC Media Days just two weeks from now. Before he heads to Atlanta, he will have to decide which players he will bring along. Last year, Nick Muse and JJ Enagbare were South Carolina’s two representatives. So, here are a few potential candidates for this year’s event.

Spencer Rattler, quarterback

Rattler joining Beamer at media days seems to be a safe bet. He’s been the most talked-about football player at South Carolina this summer. The Gamecocks have struggled to find an answer at quarterback in recent years, and Rattler could become that guy this season. Plus, there should be many other SEC quarterbacks in attendance, so it would only be fitting for South Carolina’s new star to be there as well.

Jaheim Bell, tight end

There’s a lot to like about Bell. He could be a go-to guy in South Carolina’s offense this year with the ability to slot in at both tight end and wide receiver. Bell is expected to be a massive feature in Marcus Satterfield’s offense this season and could be someone the league’s media want to talk to. Towards the end of last season, Bell really came into his own. In the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, he torched North Carolina’s defense with 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Heading into his junior year, it’s going to be interesting to see if he can replicate what he did a year ago.

Cam Smith, defensive back

Come 2023, Smith could be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. And there’s a good reason for that. In 2021, he earned Second-Team All-SEC honors after leading the Gamecocks with 14 passes defended, including three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He allowed multiple catches in just two of 11 games played and only 15 catches on 32 targets throughout the season. There’s going to be a lot to talk about with Smith this season and hearing him on the mic could be must-see television. He opted to come back for another season and is a preseason All-American.

Josh Vann, wide receiver

Similar to Smith, Vann is coming off a fantastic season. He led the team with 43 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns. But for some reason, Vann feels like a sleeper pick to make the trip to Atlanta. Besides being an electrifying player, he also seems to have a comedic side going for him. Media day can be a way to reward seniors who stuck with the program, and Vann almost certainly fits that bill. After exposing Florida’s defensive coverage last season, South Carolina posted a viral video where Vann found a variety of fun things to do before the defense caught up to him in the end zone. Needless to say, if Beamer extends Vann an invitation, he may have another funny joke up his sleeve.

So much room for activities! pic.twitter.com/503NkyMvxg

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 9, 2021

Dakereon Joyner, wide receiver

Joyner’s candidacy may simply be based on his outstanding performance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. After playing 12 games at wide receiver, he stepped in at quarterback against North Carolina and won the game’s most valuable player award. Since then, he’s really stepped into the spotlight, earning multiple endorsement deals along the way. While he won’t be back under center this season, he’s going to be featured in South Carolina’s offense. Like Bell, he’s someone that can do it all. For those reasons, it would be fascinating to see Joyner’s recognition continue at media days. He’s also one of the best program representatives on the team.

Eric Douglas, center

He’s not a flashy skill player and that might be the route Beamer decides to take. However, Douglas’ presence as the veteran offensive lineman could give him an opportunity to go. He’s also considered one of the smartest football players on the team by his offensive coordinator, Marcus Satterfield. Douglas is another, like Vann, who could be rewarded as a senior.

Zacch Pickens, defensive lineman

Pickens’s story is certainly one worth telling. He is an in-state player who bided his time and will be a major factor defensively this year. He’s a fantastic talker and someone who would certainly be a fun interview for the rest of the league’s media.

South Carolina will participate in SEC Media Days on Tuesday, July 19.

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