Coach Shane Beamer quickly won over Columbia and South Carolina Gamecock fans with two impressive seasons at the helm, but last year marked a significant setback for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Now, with a new quarterback in LaNorris Sellers and a brutal schedule ahead, the pressure is on. If the Gamecocks can secure a bowl game appearance, the future looks bright. However, another losing season could see fans growing restless.
LaNorris Sellers, a redshirt freshman from Florence, SC, steps into the quarterback role following Spencer Rattler’s departure to the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Rattler’s exceptional performance last season—throwing for over 3,000 yards despite a struggling run game—will be a tough act to follow. Sellers, a dynamic athlete, showed flashes of potential last year but will need to develop quickly to lead the Gamecocks to success. Former Auburn starter Robby Ashford has been brought in as competition and backup, but both quarterbacks will operate behind an offensive line that allowed 41 sacks last season. Injuries plagued the line last year, but USC is hopeful that stability and health will lead to improved performance.
LaNorris Sellers, Quarterback USC Gamecocks. (Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports)
The running game, which was virtually non-existent last season (averaging just 85.1 yards per game, the worst in the SEC), is a key area of focus. To address this, South Carolina added former Arkansas standout Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. The receiving corps is deep but lacks size, with only one returning player, the 6-foot-5 Nyck Harbor, standing above 6-foot-2. Harbor, a world-class sprinter, is still learning the nuances of playing receiver at the SEC level. Post-spring additions Dalevon Campbell (Nevada) and Vandrevius Jacobs (Florida State) provide depth, while Joshua Simon and Brady Hunt will be reliable targets at tight end.
Defensively, the Gamecocks made a late-season switch to a 3-3-5 base alignment, which showed improvement but wasn’t enough to prevent Beamer’s first losing season. The defense struggled to stop the run, and the secondary underperformed. Defensive coordinator Clayton White plans to stick with the 3-3-5 as the base defense but will also use his preferred 4-2-5 alignment. Key players like linebacker Debo Williams, who had a standout season, and freshman edge rusher Dylan Stewart, a 5-star recruit, will be crucial to the defense’s success. The secondary, featuring Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith, and Jalon Kilgore, has talent but must avoid the slow start that plagued them last year.
Special teams, a standout unit under former coordinator Pete Lembo, are now under the guidance of Joe DeCamillis, a veteran coach with extensive NFL experience. While punter Kai Kroeger returns as a reliable option, the team will be breaking in a new kicker following Mitch Jeter’s transfer. The kicker has yet to be announced but is expected to be redshirt junior, William Joyce.
As the Gamecocks enter this pivotal season, the development of Sellers and the performance of the defense will be key to determining whether South Carolina can bounce back and make a bowl game—or if the frustrations of last season will carry over. Stay tuned to Crime and Cask for all the latest updates on this critical season for South Carolina football.
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks’ 2024 football schedule is packed with exciting matchups. The season kicks off at home on August 31 against Old Dominion. The Gamecocks will face tough SEC opponents like Kentucky, LSU, and Missouri throughout the season, with notable home games including clashes against Texas A&M and Ole Miss. The regular season wraps up with the traditional rivalry game against Clemson on November 30.
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