Redshirt Tracker: Four Gamecocks go over redshirt threshold
South Carolina is now five games into its 2023 football season which means there’s now been an opportunity for some freshmen to go over the redshirt threshold with others getting closer and likely to go over against Florida.
As a reminder, players can play in four games and still maintain their redshirt status.
Jalon Kilgore, Nyckoles Harbor, Judge Collier, and Desmond Umeozulu have played in all five games this year and have now gone over the threshold. They’ll be sophomores next season.
In the past, we’ve seen players essentially fall into three categories: 1. playing with no designs of a redshirt, 2. playing but not going over four games and thus redshirting, 3. not playing at all or playing sparingly and redshirting.
While it can’t yet be completely determined which players will fall in each category, there is enough data already to start to get a pretty good idea of who will fall where.
** Games played data provided by GamecocksOnline and snaps data provided by PFF.
South Carolina football freshman participation
Name – Number of games (games played in)
S Jalon Kilgore – 5 (North Carolina, Furman, Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee)
NOTES: Not only has Kilgore played in all five games but he’s also leading the way in snaps played by a true freshman (on offense or defense) with 302 snaps, according to PFF, fourth most on the entire defense. Kilgore has been one of South Carolina’s best defenders, starting four of five games and playing the majority of the one game he didn’t start. Kilgore is leading the team in tackles with 42 and now has an interception on his resume as well. He’s now over the redshirt threshold.
WR Nyckoles Harbor – 5 (UNC, FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: South Carolina fans have been begging for the former five-star speedster to get more of a chance soon. So far, Harbor has played in all five games but with limited snaps. Harbor has played 55 snaps this season and has one catch for seven yards and a touchdown. Harbor, who played on the kickoff coverage team Saturday, is now over the redshirt threshold.
CB Judge Collier – 5 (UNC, FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: After primarily playing on special teams in Week 1, Collier has assumed the role of the Gamecocks’ third cornerback behind Marcellas Dial and O’Donnell Fortune. The Rock Hill native has played 73 snaps on defense, including a personal high 37 against MSU two weeks ago when he came up with an important fumble recovery. That snap count is second-most among freshmen on defense. Collier is now over the redshirt threshold.
EDGE Desmond Umeozulu – 5 (UNC, FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: Umeozulu has played in all five games as a reserve pass-rusher playing 47 snaps so far this year. Umeozulu collected his first two career tackles and a QB hurry two weeks ago against Mississippi State. Umueozulu, who played 10 snaps on defense against Tennessee, is now over the threshold.
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OT Tree Babalade – 4 (FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: Babalade got his first taste of action in Week 2 and then took over as a starter in Week 3, locking down the Gamecocks’ left tackle job. Babalade’s 227 snaps is tops on the team among freshmen on offense.
LB Pup Howard – 4 (FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: After sitting out the opener, the former four-star has played in the last four games, including playing 19 snaps each against Mississippi State and Tennessee, according to PFF. Howard is Stone Blanton’s backup at middle linebacker and also plays on special teams with a prominent role on the kickoff coverage unit.
OG Trovon Baugh – 4 (FU, UGA, MSU, UT)
NOTES: Baugh has seen his snaps continue to increase as the year has progressed and made his first career start against Tennessee. He’s now played 159 snaps after playing the entire game against UT.
WR Tyshawn Russell – 3 (FU, MSU, UT)
NOTES: Russell made his debut on the depth chart prior to the MSU game and is working on the second team at one of the outside receiver spots. A late addition to the class, Russell has seen his potential for playing time continue to rise and seems likely to avoid a redshirt. Russell has played 46 snaps this season, according to PFF, and has four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, a 50-yarder from LaNorris Sellers. Russell had one catch for seven yards against UT.
DL Xzavier McLeod – 3 (FU, UGA, UT)
NOTES: The former four-star from Camden has gotten in three games, playing 19 snaps against Furman and then getting in for a couple of reps against UGA and three against UT. McLeod grabbed an interception on a tipped pass and his first career tackle against the Paladins.
CB Vicari Swain – 3 (UNC, FU, UGA)
NOTES: Swain played two snaps late against UNC and then 11 snaps with a tackle against Furman. He was also on the kickoff coverage team against Furman and Georgia. He has not played in the last two weeks.
NICK Zahbari Sandy – 2 (FU, UGA)
NOTES: Sandy has played in two games this year, both on special teams, while getting eight snaps at nickelback against Furman.
RB DJay Braswell – 1 (FU)
NOTES: Braswell will likely eventually get to play more this season but so far he’s only gotten in against Furman when he had four carries for 17 yards.
QB LaNorris Sellers – 1 (FU)
NOTES: The big playmaking quarterback has played in just one game but he did provide South Carolina fans with a glimpse at the future when he completed all four of his passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in late-game duty against Furman.
TE Connor Cox – 1 (FU)
NOTES: Cox made his South Carolina debut against Furman but has not played in other games. He is on the depth chart, though, essentially as the fourth tight end.
OT Jatavius Shivers – 1 (FU)
NOTES: It appears Shivers is headed for a redshirt but he did get five snaps in late duty against Furman.
WR Elijah Caldwell – Has not played
WR Kelton Henderson – Has not played
WR CJ Adams – Has not played
TE/RB Kam Sandlin – Has not played
TE Reid Mikeska – Has not played
OL Markee Anderson – Out for season with knee injury
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