Four takeaways: week one of South Carolina training camp

After seven practices, two media availabilities and three open portions of practice, South Carolina is through with its first week of preseason camp. 

The Gamecocks have a sample size now of evaluating what they have on this roster with a few key things to glean over the last week. 

So with the first scrimmage of camp looming Saturday afternoon, here’s what we learned from week one. 

Offensive line shaking out

Going into preseason camp the offensive line was a big question, but now it seems like there is a clear starting four with one position up for grabs. 

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In the open portions of practice, there have been four guys who’ve repped with the first team each time: Jakai Moore at left tackle, Nick Gargiulo and Trai Jones at guard then Vershon Lee at center. Those four, as it stands right now, seem to be locked in as starters at least for the North Carolina game. 

The question now becomes who starts at right tackle. It looks like a competition right now with incumbent Tyshawn Wannamaker and transfer Sidney Fugar. Both have been seen spotted working with the ones. 

Wannamaker started four games last season at right tackle while Fugar comes in after playing tackle at Western Illinois. 

There is still time for things to change, but it looks like there’s a clearer picture of the offensive line compared to seven days ago. 

Got to get key guys healthy

There’s nothing long-term as it stands right now–Shane Beamer will update injuries post-practice Saturday–but there are a few nagging things keeping guys out. 

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Obviously, Juice Wells and Trey Knox weren’t at the open portion of practice Friday. Neither Pup Howard nor Terrell Dawkins were dressed out for practice. All four of those guys are going to have roles of varying degrees–Wells and Knox are key guys–and need to continue to get healthy. 

The good news for South Carolina is a few banged-up guys were back at practice like Kam Sandlin, Mo Kaba and Jordan Strachan. All three were going through drills with braces on, but they were out there.

So there’s nothing dire at the moment, but getting healthy is always a priority.  

Tyreek Johnson is going to have a role

There’s always a veteran during camp who comes on strong after a good offseason, and Tyreek Johnson seems to be that guy. 

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Sterling Lucas gushed about him this week, saying he had all the tools to be a great player, and Johnson has reshaped his body some. He’s up five pounds from his listed weight last year and bench pressing 400 pounds. He’s also squatting 600 pounds. 

It’s been a long road for Johnson with injuries sidelining him his first two years on campus. He played some last season and was productive, but now the Gamecocks need more from him on a larger snap count. 

South Carolina is thin at EDGE right now, and Johnson could chisel out a starting role this season. At worst, he will likely be a key rotational piece. 

Freshmen going to play a ton

There are some comments over an offseason that are coach speak. But Shane Beamer’s talk about a freshman playing at nearly every position seems to be spot on.

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While they might not start, that vaunted 2023 class is going to play a good bit. Tree Babalade and Trovon Baugh are getting second-team reps on the offensive line. Pup Howard was with the first-team linebackers Monday. Judge Collier and Jalon Kilgore each were with the second-team secondary. 

That doesn’t include Nyck Harbor, Des Umeozulu, Markee Anderson and others who all have the possibility of playing roles this season. So get used to seeing freshmen around the field in some capacity.

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