Redshirt Tracker: Redshirt situations locked in with just two games left

With 10 games in the books and just two regular season contests left, South Carolina’s redshirt situation among its true freshmen is now completely locked in.

Six true freshmen — Josiah Thompson, Dylan Stewart, Mazeo Bennett, Michael Smith, JayR Johnson, and David Bucey — will all officially be sophomores next season after going over the redshirt threshold against Ole Miss.

The Gamecocks’ other nine true freshmen will officially be redshirts since even those who have played would still be under the threshold even if they played in the final two regular season games.

Wide receiver Debron Gatling and punter/kicker Mason Love have not played in any games this season and were already locked in as redshirts.

Carolina’s remaining true freshmen — Matt Fuller, Kelvin Hunter, Jalewis Solomon, Blake Franks, Wendell Gregory, Kam Pringle, and Dante Reno — have each played in two games or less and are now locked in too.

One non-freshman GamecockCentral is tracking is senior defensive lineman Nick Barrett. Barrett has played in exactly four games but has missed the last two due to injury. He’d have to miss the next two in order to return to South Carolina next year.

Sophomore Tree Babalade at one point appeared headed for a clear redshirt but the sophomore played against Vanderbilt and then started against Missouri. Babalade would have to sit the next two regular season games to keep his eligibility but he has played well in last three halves of action.

While running back Jawarn Howell was not previously mentioned in any editions of the Redshirt Tracker, he probably should have been. The transfer sophomore has played in three games this year and would only need to sit one of the two remaining games to preserve his entire year of eligibility. That might be ideal for the former SC State star who many believe has a bright future.

Running back DJay Braswell, wide receiver Tyshawn Russell, and EDGE Elijah Davis have not played this season and each will also maintain his year of eligibility.

As a reminder, players can compete in four games (plus a bowl or playoff games) and still maintain their redshirt status.

** Games played data provided by GamecocksOnline and snaps data provided by PFF. Snap data just refers to offense or defense – not special teams.

South Carolina football freshman participation

Name – Number of games (games played in)

EDGE Dylan Stewart – 10 (ODU, UK, LSU, Akron, OM, Bama, OU, A&M, VU, MU)

NOTES: The former five-star Stewart, who has played in all 10 games, leads the way in snaps by a true freshman on defense with 394. PFF credits him with a team-leading 40 pressures on the season. Stewart is also second in sacks with 5.5 and is a lock for Freshman All-American status.

WR Mazeo Bennett – 10 (ODU, UK, LSU, Akron, OM, Bama, OU, A&M, VU, MU)

NOTES: The freshman from Greenville is currently second on the team in receptions (26), receiving yards (312), and receiving touchdowns (3). Bennett has taken 354 snaps through 10 games, third most among wide receivers, and has played in every game. He had to exit the A&M game early with an “upper body” injury and played limited snaps against Vanderbilt but appeared to be close to full go against Mizzouri.

TE Michael Smith – 10 (ODU, UK, LSU, Akron, OM, Bama, A&M, VU, MU)

NOTES: Smith is part of a three-man rotation at tight end that also includes Josh Simon, who is getting the most reps, and Brady Hunt. Smith has made nine catches for 96 yards so far this season and hauled in his first career touchdown against Mizzou. He has played 211 snaps on offense.

LB JayR Johnson – 10 (ODU, UK, LSU, Akron, OM, Bama, OU, A&M, VU, MU)

NOTES: Johnson has played in all 10 games this season. Those snaps were primarily on special teams for most of the year, except in blowouts over Kentucky and Akron. But Johnson did play a career-high 30 defensive snaps against Oklahoma likely due to the lopsided score and Bangally Kamara’s exit from the team. It was back to special teams action against A&M, Vanderbilt, and Missouri.

S David Bucey – 10 (ODU, UK, LSU, Akron, OM, Bama, OU, A&M, VU, MU)

NOTES: Bucey plays on multiple special teams units for the Gamecocks and has gotten in late at safety in big wins over Kentucky, Akron, and Oklahoma. He had a big hit and forced fumble on kickoff coverage against Alabama and then forced another fumble against the Sooners. He played on special teams against A&M, Vanderbilt, and Missouri.

OT Josiah Thompson – 9 (Old Dominion, Kentucky, LSU, Akron, Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt)

NOTES: The former On3 five-star had started all eight games and had played nearly every meaningful snap at left tackle until he exited the Vanderbilt game with an injury and missed the second half. Thompson was available this past week against Missouri but Tree Babalade still started in his place. Thompson maintains his lead in snaps (591) taken by a freshman.

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Freshmen who will definitely redshirt

RB Matthew Fuller – 2 (Akron, OM)

NOTES: The freshman running back made his collegiate debut against Akron, rushing for 25 yards on eight carries while playing 12 snaps. Fuller played on special teams against Ole Miss but has not played since.

DB Kelvin Hunter – 2 (UK, Akron)

NOTES: The freshman from West Florence High School made his South Carolina debut against Kentucky, playing 10 snaps and making two tackles, including a tackle for loss. Hunter played the nickelback position. He did not play against LSU but then got in again late against Akron. He did not play against Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, or Missouri.

DB Jalewis Solomon – 2 (UK, Akron)

NOTES: The former four-star made his South Carolina debut late in the Kentucky game, taking 11 snaps at cornerback. He did not play against LSU but like Hunter got in late against Akron. He did not play against Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma or Texas A&M, and has been dealing with an injury.

OL Blake Franks – 1 (Akron)

NOTES: Franks made his South Carolina debut against Akron, playing six snaps at guard late in the game for Carolina. He has not played in the last four games.

LB Wendell Gregory – 1 (Akron)

NOTES: Gregory made his South Carolina debut against Akron, playing six snaps late in the game at the EDGE position. He has not played in the last four games.

OL Kam Pringle – 1 (Akron)

NOTES: Pringle made his South Carolina debut against Akron, playing six snaps at guard late in the game for Carolina. He has not played in the last four games.

QB Dante Reno – 1 (Akron)

NOTES: Reno made his South Carolina debut against Akron, playing two snaps at quarterback late in the game for Carolina. He has not played in the last four games.

WR Debron Gatling – Has not played

P Mason Love – Has not played

Non-Freshman Potential Redshirts

DL Nick Barrett – 4 (LSU, Bama, OU, A&M)

OL Tree Babalade – 4 (ODU, UK, VU, MU)

RB Jawarn Howell – 3 (Akron, OM, OU)

RB DJay Braswell – Has not played

WR Tyshawn Russell – Has not played

EDGE Elijah Davis – Has not played

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