Win a mini football helmet autographed by Spencer Rattler
Gamecock Central and Garnet Trust are giving away a Gamecocks mini football helmet autographed by South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler.
The deadline to enter to win is Friday, February 24, 2023, at 11:59 ET.
South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner recently released a video encouraging Gamecock fans to contribute to NIL collectives (organizations) that support South Carolina student-athletes.
Now is your chance: Become an NIL supporter of your Gamecocks!
Shane Beamer talks plan to remedy EDGE depth concerns
Just a few weeks ago, Shane Beamer bemoaned South Carolina’s lack of depth at defensive end. Then Wednesday, he gave an update on where things are heading into spring practice.
While Beamer didn’t rule out dipping into the portal for more EDGE prospects, he emphasized the importance of the players currently on the roster taking a step forward.
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“I’m all about increasing the competition and depth at every position. That EDGE position is still a concern. But I’m excited about the guys we have in the program right now that are returning. It’s time for all those guys,” Beamer said.
“Whether it’s an older guy like Tyreek Johnson, Jordan Strachan or Terrell Dawkins or a young guy like a Bryan Thomas. It’s time for all those guys to take another step and be the best they can be in 2023.”
The Gamecocks lost two productive pieces at the end of the season. Jordan Burch (Oregon) and Gilber Edmond (Florida State) each defected to the transfer portal.
South Carolina does return Jordan Strachan–who missed nearly all of last season with an ACL injury–but are relatively inexperienced after that.
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Terrell Dawkins played a ton as a freshman at NC State but injuries have hampered his last two seasons, including his first at South Carolina.
Tyreek Johnson and Bryan Thomas have been in the program but haven’t played a ton over their careers. Thomas saw time sparingly as a freshman in 2022.
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South Carolina brought in two freshmen in the 2023 class–Desmond Umeozulu and Monteque Rhames–but the waters there are unclear with Rhames currently suspended from the program.
Beamer did mention the Gamecocks have two players who have some versatility and could bounce to end, if needed: Tonka Hemingway and signee Elijah Davis.
“I think Elijah’s a guy like Tonka. Tonka was a defensive tackle all season for us who played defensive end in the bowl game and played really well at it,” he said. “Those two guys have position flexibility where they can do different things and play in both spots.”
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Hemingway started his career at end before moving to the interior the last two seasons. He played at end, though, in the bowl game largely due to depth concerns.
Davis is the No. 3 junior college player in the country for the 2023 class. He’s also listed at 265 pounds on On3’s database. Each could play end in a pinch, but Beamer thinks both are tackles entering spring practice.
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“In our minds right now, Tonka is a defensive tackle and Elijah is a defensive tackle. Let’s continue to try and develop that EDGE position around them as well,” he said. “There is another portal window coming up. We’ll see what’s available.”
The next transfer portal window opens after spring practice and runs for 15 days starting May 1.
