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South Carolina players, Shane Beamer talk early spring practice standouts

On3 imageby:Collyn Taylor•03/22/22•

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Antwane Wells Jr. (Photo by Chris Gillespie)

Spring practice is just over a week old, but it’s been going on long enough for Shane Beamer and some South Carolina players to glean an impression on the newcomers.

The Gamecocks have four practices in addition to countless meetings under their belt already as practice churns on, and the crop of newcomers is already standing out.

“I like the group, I really do. I think they’re all trying to knock the rust off a little bit. You talk about Lovasea Carroll. He’s a really talented running back but was playing defensive back most recently before he came here. He’s knocking the rust off and getting back into the swing of things. You certainly see the natural talent. Christian Beal-Smith has done a great job running the football and understanding the way we practice here and do things,” Shane Beamer said.

“Juice Wells has done a great job just catching and competing. His mentality he brings to practice. I think one of the guys in here yesterday used the word dog to describe him. That’s very accurate. He loves to play football and loves to compete. He’s made a lot of really good plays for sure.”

South Carolina brought in a transfer group currently of six players, especially focused on the offensive side of the ball.

Lovasea Carroll (Georgia) and Christian Beal-Smith (Wake Forest) come in at running back while Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. (James Madison) plays receiver. Tack on edge rusher Terrell Dawkins (NC State) and safety Devonni Reed (Central Michigan) to that group as well.

Both defensive guys, Beamer said, have also shown up early in practice.

“Devonni Reed, I noticed him today and his physicality in the run game. we had a run where the hole opened up and it looked like MarShawn was going to take it the distance. All of the sudden here comes Devonni filling the gap and making an open field thud,” Beamer said.

“Terrell Dawkins continues to get better and better in the pass rush. Maybe what he was doing scheme-wise at NC State is a little different than what we’re asking him to do here. So he’s getting comfortable in that.”

The headliner of the group, though, is former five-star recruit and Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Rattler, Beamer said previously, is taking all the reps currently with South Carolina’s first team.

“Spencer, I mean, you guys know about spencer. There ain’t’ much you can say about Spencer. The stuff you guys know about Spencer, he’s who he is,” MarShawn Lloyd said. He’s the real deal. He’s going to show a lot of guys once we get out there.”

It stands to reason every transfer can play a role on this year’s team, most as starters and also in rotational roles.

“Christian Beal-Smith, he’s going to be a guy we’re going ot be able to put in there and he’s going to be able to go. We have MarShawn. I’m biased because that’s my boy. They’re going to be a really great duo. Having MarShawn back there gives us some speed. Christians’ fast and has some speed,” Luke Doty said.

“Juju (McDowell), look at the things he can do. Just put him out in space and he’s going to make a play. Jaheim Bell, that’s what he does. He just makes plays. Antwane Wells Jr., I said it before. He’s a dog and he’s a worker. He’s not afraid to get better. That’s what he’ll continue to do.”

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