South Carolina TE named breakout 'sleeper' by ESPN
South Carolina football fans are already pretty aware of what tight end Josh Simon can do after he made a solid impact last season in his first year with the Gamecocks.
But it appears some on the national level have started to take notice and are expecting an even bigger season from the Dalzell, S.C. native in 2024.
Simon this week was named one of ESPN’s sleeper college football players who could break out in the 2024 season.
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Said ESPN:
Simon stood out for Western Kentucky early in his career, recording 30 catches as a true freshman and 66 during his first two seasons. He had a solid first year with the Gamecocks, when he shared time with All-SEC standout Trey Knox, catching a pass in each of his final eight games and providing some highlight plays against Florida (33-yard touchdown) and consecutive games of more than 60 receiving yards against Vanderbilt and Jacksonville State. Simon could have an even bigger role in his second year with the team.
Simon served as both a backup tight end to Trey Knox last year as well as a “starter” when the Gamecocks were in two-tight end sets. He played in all 12 games, making four starts, while grabbing 28 receptions for 256 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.
Perhaps just as important, Simon displayed an ability and willingness to be physical, which will serve him well under new tight ends coach Shawn Elliott this season when Simon should take on an even bigger role.
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ESPN’s list was designed to feature players “whose talents and potential are known within their programs, or even their immediate areas, but have yet to display them consistently on bigger stages.”
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Most on the list are players who served as backups or shared starting roles, much like Simon last year, while others may be starters who just have not received recognition beyond the local level.
“He’s a big body, strong and can run,” Shane Beamer told ESPN. “He was productive at WKU before coming here. Trey’s gone now and Josh has stepped up. He’s really good with the ball in his hands in space. It’s hard for one person to bring him down.”
Simon and transfer Brady Hunt should team up as South Carolina’s top two tight ends this season, though freshman Michael Smith has generated a tremendous amount of buzz and Beamer has said he too will play a lot this season.
