Top 5 Gamecocks who expanded their roles in 2022

The Gamecocks saw a number of players step up in 2022, with many making a significant impact.

With South Carolina’s season over, it’s time to take a look at who grew into larger roles throughout the year.

Become a NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!

Josh Vann, wide receiver

If anybody should be dignified as a team player, it needs to be Vann.

Coming into the season, the fifth-year receiver was expected to have a big year after breaking out in 2021. He was arguably South Carolina’s best player, catching 43 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns. But it didn’t work out that way.

With more offensive weapons, Vann’s offensive role was heavily reduced. Through the first month of play, he only had three catches for less than 20 yards.

Vann admitted it was “a little frustrating” for him to see his reps dwindle.

“I guess coming off the season I had last year, I was thinking this year was just going to be a climb, but I’m not saying it hasn’t,” he said. “I did find other things to work on whether it’s blocking or playing without the ball. All the little tweaks and things that I need to work on.”

Instead of moping on his sorrows, he looked for other ways to help the Gamecocks. He worked his way into an asset on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs.

Vann almost made an incredible play, when he returned a punt for a 75-yard touchdown against Charlotte. But the play was negated by an illegal block in the back penalty.

He still did his job well, though. In 12 games, he returned 10 punts for 151 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per return. He also took back two kickoffs for 45 yards, averaging 22.5 yards.

Down the stretch, Vann became more involved in the offense, hauling in two touchdowns to help upset then-No. 5 Tennessee. He finished the year with 18 catches for 296 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch.

Nate Adkins, tight end

Adkins transferred from East Tennessee State for his final year of college eligibility. He started as the third-string tight end behind Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner.

As a result, he didn’t see many targets coming his way. It was a far cry from what he had done in his previous years, catching 73 passes for 749 yards and four touchdowns.

“I knew I was going to be more of a blocker when I came in,” Adkins said. “Whenever I got the opportunity to run a deep ball and have a chance to catch it I was excited. I was doing whatever I can to help the team.”

Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!

While Bell and Stogner were making plays on offense, Adkins groomed himself a nice role on special teams.

Shane Beamer labeled him as a “Swiss Army knife” who has been “really, really good on special teams.”

He’s been a starter on our punt team, our kickoff return team. He really can play everywhere,” Beamer said.

Adkins’ time on special teams culminated in one of the biggest plays of the season. With the Gamecocks leading Clemson 31-30 in the fourth quarter, they were forced to punt. Kai Kroeger booted the ball away 45 yards, landing in punt returner Antonio Williams’ hands.

With room to run, Williams cut up toward midfield when Adkins punched the ball out from behind him. South Carolina recovered the loose ball and went on to win.

“I didn’t even know I could do that, to be honest with you,” Adkins said postgame. “I used to do that stuff in the backyard when I was younger, but I ain’t ever done it with pads in a game like this. So it was pretty cool.”

Towards the end of the year, he started carving himself a bigger role in the offense. In the final three games, he caught 11 passes for 160 yards, including an unbelievable one-handed grab to add to a big day against Clemson.

MarShawn Lloyd, running back

Lloyd’s college career began with a torn ACL on the second day of fall camp in 2020, causing him to miss the season. When he returned the next year, he split time in the backfield with Kevin Harris and ZaQuandre White.

2022 was meant to be his first year as South Carolina’s lead running back, and he was. Though hindered by injuries, Lloyd carried the ball 111 times, running for 573 yards and nine touchdowns. This was a major improvement from his first season, where he got about half of the carries and scored one touchdown.

“MarShawn’s a guy that’s got great balance; he’s got great strength and physicality. He can run through people,” Beamer said.

There’s no doubt that Lloyd progressed this past season and gave the Gamecocks great support in the run game. However, he won’t be returning next season, announcing his transfer to Southern California on Jan. 6.

DQ Smith, defensive back

Smith, a freshman from Spring Valley High School, opened as the backup to Devonni Reed at free safety. But it wouldn’t take long for him to make an impact.

In the season opener against Georgia State, Rashad Amos blocked a punt and Smith scooped the ball up for a 26-yard touchdown.

“It was kind of a surprise and then seeing the ball roll around, I knew nobody was around me,” Smith said. “I played a lot of offense in high school, so I kind of forgot how to run the ball after that.”

By the end of the season, Smith became a full-fledged starter. He saved his best for last in the Gator Bowl, picking off Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner and taking it to the house for a 47-yard score.

Smith played in all 13 games, recording 54 tackles with one sack, one forced fumble, five pass breakups and two interceptions.

Get South Carolina football alerts and analysis via email

Nick Emmanwori, safety

Many freshmen stepped up for the Gamecocks in 2022 but none were more impactful than Emmanwori.

Emmanwori, a freshman, didn’t anticipate that he would be a starter on defense. Fifth-year safety RJ Roderick sat in front of him on the depth chart. However, an injury to Roderick in the first game opened the door for him.

“He never flinched, never blinked,” Marcellas Dial said of Emmanwori. “Went in there with confidence. He knew what he was going to have to do and that we weren’t looking at him as a freshman and we were looking at him as a vet like he’s been here before.”

The 6-foot-4, 218-pounder played in every game, starting 12. He led the Gamecock defense with 85 tackles. He also recovered one fumble and had a pass deflection, helping him earn multiple honors.

Emmanwori became a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team while also being named a freshman all-American by outlets, such as On3, PFF and ESPN.

Both Emmanwori and Smith shape up to be anchors on the defense heading into next season. After losing to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, Beamer shared his thoughts on the young freshmen.

“(Smith) and Nick both come in as true freshmen from right in Columbia and not be recruited at all. They’re awesome,” Beamer said. DQ’s a guy, he’s a smart kid. I mean, he played nickel throughout the season. He played safety today. He was starting on special teams today. Same thing for Nick. Those guys continue to get better each and every week and they’re big time players. Excited that they’re just freshmen.”

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!