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South Carolina football: top performers from spring game

On3 imageby:Michael Sauls•04/16/22•

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South Carolina's Shane Beamer (CJ Driggers, Gamecock Central)

It was an electric atmosphere Saturday night with 20,671 fans filing into Williams-Brice Stadium for the annual spring game. They, along with the media, got their first look at the 2022 South Carolina football team on Saturday. 

The Garnet team, led by Spencer Rattler at quarterback, left the field with a 20-13 victory. Here are a handful of key contributors.

Chad Terrell

After playing in only four games last season the sixth-year senior had a great showing for the Black team. Terrell brought in four catches for 49 yards and scored a touchdown. 

Terrell’s route running looked improved and he did a great job of finding the open field after the catch during the game. 

During halftime, Terrell was honored with the South Carolina Spirit Award.

South Carolina’s running backs

Christian Beal-Smith, Juju McDowell and MarShawn Lloyd are all vying for the starting spot on this year’s team after the departure of Kevin Harris and ZaQuandre White.

Beal-Smith looked impressive throughout the game, at one point hurdling a defender. He ran aggressively, carrying the ball five times and finishing with 18 yards and a touchdown.

McDowell looked like his typical explosive self. He appears to have not missed a beat since the end of last season, continuing to improve and excel out of the backfield. McDowell also got some action in the passing game on swing routes out of the backfield. He finished with six carries and 57 yards on the ground.

After coming off an ACL injury and struggling last season, Lloyd’s game already looks improved. He showed flashes of being the elite running back that fans expected him to be upon his arrival in South Carolina. Most importantly, Lloyd looked comfortable making cuts in open space. Lloyd finished with eight carries and 40 yards. He was awarded the Harold White GPA Award during halftime.

Gamecocks kickers

Three South Carolina kickers got an opportunity during the spring game on Saturday night. Much like the running backs vying to replace a mainstay at the position, the specialists are fighting to replace long-time starter and total points record holder Parker White.

Mitch Jeter hit a 47-yard and a 33-yard field goal. Alex Herrera also hit a 40-yard and a 33-yard field goal. William Joyce even got some action during the game, successfully converting an extra point in the second quarter.

Joseph Byrnes

The walk-on safety from South Carolina managed to pick off two passes in the spring game.

Byrnes has yet to find any playing time since joining the team in 2021 but his performance on Saturday may have bought him special teams reps for the Gamecocks.

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