South Carolina releases depth chart ahead of opener
South Carolina officially released its depth chart for its season-opener against Georgia State.
In no surprise, Spencer Rattler is the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback with Luke Doty backing him up. There was no third-string quarterback listed, but a few other positions come into focus.
MarShawn Lloyd will start at running back for South Carolina with Juju McDowell or Christian Beal-Smith the backup.
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Beal-Smith has been dealing with a foot injury for most of the preseason, although Shane Beamer mentioned the staff is optimistic he’ll play.
The starting offensive line from left to right is Jaylen Nichols, Vershon Lee, Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn and Dylan Wonnum.
Wonnum won the battle for right tackle over Tyshawn Wannamaker, who is listed as the backup. The other backup tackle is Jakai Moore. Trai Jones and Wyatt Campbell are the backup guards and Hank Manos the second-string center.
There are OR markers dotting the receiver group at this point, though. Xavier Legette or Antwane Wells Jr. will start at one receiver spot.
Josh Vann or Jalen Brooks will start at the other. One of two players will start in the slot: Ahmarean Brown or Dakereon Joyner. Corey Rucker is listed behind those two.
Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner are the first-string tight ends with Trae Kenion backing up Stogner and Nate Adkins backup to Bell.
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Defensively, there aren’t many surprises for South Carolina. Jordan Burch and Jordan Strachan are the starting EDGE players while Zacch Pickens and Alex Huntley start inside. Tyreek Johnson, Tonka Hemingway, MJ Webb are all listed as backups.
Gilber Edmond and Terrell Dawkins are listed as backup outside linebackers behind Strachan.
Mo Kaba is starting at middle linebacker, ahead of Sherrod Greene, with Brad Johnson the other starting linebacker.
Debo Williams is the Gamecocks’ second-string WILL.
Cam Smith is South Carolina’s starting nickel back, backed up by David Spaulding.
Marcellas Dial and Darius Rush will start at corner with RJ Roderick and Devonni Reed the starting safeties.
Kajuan Banks, Keenan Nelson, O’Donnell Fortune and Emory Floyd are the reserve corners. A pair of freshmen, DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori, are reserve safeties.
The kicking battle will continue for the next few days with Mitch Jeter or Alex Herrera listed as the starting placekicker. Jeter will handle kickoffs.
Herrera will be the starting punter if Kai Kroeger is unavailable. Hunter Rogers will long snap and William Joyce will hold if Kroeger can’t play.
Xavier Legette and Juju McDowell are the starting kick returners while Vann is the team’s starting punt returner followed by Ahmarean Brown.
The Gamecocks kick the season off Saturday against Georgia State at 7:30 p.m. ET.
