Redshirt Tracker: Six South Carolina true freshmen play in opener
Six true freshmen played in South Carolina football’s season opener this past weekend with four playing a major role on offense or defense.
GamecockCentral is bringing back its redshirt tracker this season which will reflect how much each player has played this year.
As a reminder, players can compete in four games (plus a bowl or playoff) and still maintain their redshirt status.
In the past, we’ve seen players essentially fall into three categories: 1. playing with no designs of a redshirt, 2. playing but not going over four games and thus redshirting, 3. not playing at all or playing sparingly and redshirting.
** Games played data provided by GamecocksOnline and snaps data provided by PFF.
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South Carolina football freshman participation
Name – Number of games (games played in)
OT Josiah Thompson – 1 (Old Dominion)
NOTES: As expected, the former On3 five-star earned the opening day start for the Gamecocks and played most of the game except for leaving for a few drives after being poked in the eye. Thompson takes the early lead in snaps taken by a freshman with 58.
EDGE Dylan Stewart – 1 (ODU)
NOTES: The Gamecocks’ former five-star defender didn’t start but made his presence felt with a huge debut to the tune of four tackles, including 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Stewart was the only true freshman to play meaningful defensive snaps, taking 37 reps.
WR Mazeo Bennett – 1 (ODU)
NOTES: We knew Bennett would play but didn’t know if he’d start — he did both. The true freshman former four-star prospect from Greenville played 33 snaps and made two receptions for 18 yards.
TE Michael Smith – 1 (ODU)
NOTES: Smith isn’t listed as a starter on the depth chart but he was in the game for the first play and at the end. He’s set to play a lot. He has two catches for four yards and played 29 snaps, second most at tight end, behind only Josh Simon.
LB JayR Johnson – 1 (ODU)
NOTES: The freshman linebacker played one snap on defense, according to PFF.
S David Bucey – 1 (ODU)
NOTES: Bucey did not play on defense but is on multiple special teams units and was spotted covering kickoffs and was on the kick and punt return teams.
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RB Matthew Fuller – Has not played
OL Blake Franks – Has not played
WR Debron Gatling – Has not played
LB Wendell Gregory – Has not played
DB Kelvin Hunter – Has not played
P Mason Love – Has not played
OL Kam Pringle – Has not played
QB Dante Reno – Has not played
DB Jalewis Solomon – Has not played
