Gamecocks Connection: Youth movement

Hey, I’m Chris Clark with GamecockCentral.com, and welcome to Gamecocks Connection.

This weekly newsletter will consist of a summary of some of the latest happenings in Gamecock Country, reader questions, and one “main idea” that’s on my mind. Plus, there will be some other goodies along the way.

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What’s on the docket today?

In this edition, I’m going into more detail on how the Gamecocks are setting the stage to give more young players action beginning this week.

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Get caught up.

Three quick things to know about your Gamecocks from the last few days.

🏈 USC has a pretty extensive injury report after game one and in advance of Saturday’s matchup against Furman. Shane Beamer updated it on Tuesday.

🏈 One of those injuries was unfortunately of the season-ending variety, and it was to USC linebacker Mo Kaba. He had just returned to action after rehabbing an ACL injury from 2022, and also had another tear in high school. 

🏈 Plenty of folks were talking about Beamer’s postgame comments about the chain crew eating hotdogs on Saturday night. He addressed those remarks on Tuesday, too.

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The main idea.

— Shane Beamer has made it clear for months that his staff was going to play a true freshman at nearly every position this season.

Several 2023 class members indeed saw a level of action in game one. That number is going to rise beginning this week against Furman.

The offensive line looks like a good starting point, particularly with the struggles we all observed in game one.  Tree Babalade could draw a look at left tackle. Trovon Baugh drew some reps with the first team group inside as a guard during the preseason.

Out of all the worthy candidates in the 2023 class, Shane Beamer was the most adamant that former four-star Markee Anderson would be playing this year. However, he had a setback on the injury front that prevented him from traveling and is doubtful this week. Once healthy, he figures to factor in on the front five.

Desmond Umeozulu has been what USC’s staff thought he would be during recruiting. He may not be ready to play big snaps, but he could continue seeing spot duty as an EDGE.

One of USC’s problem areas has been finding capable rotation receivers behind its three starters. As that search continues, it’s quite possible that Nyck Harbor plays more. He saw 10 snaps against UNC. Elijah Caldwell, who did some good things in the summer and preseason, could also have a say.

Freshman running back DJ Braswell is one of the fastest players on the entire roster. He and anyone else will need more running room than what was available against UNC, but perhaps his talent gets him on the field at some point.

Pup Howard missed some practice time in the preseason, but did travel to Charlotte. He didn’t play, but Shane Beamer’s already said he will against Furman. With Mo Kaba out, he and Bam Martin-Scott will be rotation players to give Debo Williams and Stone Blanton a breather.

Judge Collier has been somewhat of a forgotten man with some of USC’s recruiting acquisitions at defensive back, but he turned some heads in preseason and has really good size. He was out there against the Tar Heels and could continue getting some run. The same goes for Vicari Swain, who’s a smooth athlete.

Although there’s more depth at defensive tackle than EDGE, does Xzavier McLeod get a look at some point, particularly if the staff opts to move around Tonka Hemingway?

Connor Cox is back healthy and now on the depth chart, and he could play special teams and some tight end snaps.

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