Uva’s players to watch in Saturday’s South Carolina spring game
We’re just three days away from South Carolina’s Garnet and Black Spring Game. And while there’s some players who’ve already earned roles as likely staters this year, there’s a few others who are still looking to make a name for themself. Or at least are names you should know.
Here are five players you should keep an eye out for in Saturday’s spring game.
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1- Dakereon Joyner
This is an obvious one. Joyner has been working with the running backs this spring and so far all of the reviews have been positive. Running back’s coach Monatrio Hardesty praised Joyner for the way that he hits the hole as well as his ability to block as a running back. Aside from Juju McDowell, South Carolina’s running back is unproven. A strong showing by Joyner could be an early sign of what to expect from the sixth-year star this fall.
2- Mario Anderson
If Joyner is 1A then Anderson is 1B this weekend. The transfer running back from Newberry College was a DII All-American last season and certainly has the size to play in the SEC. Hardesty compared Anderson’s skillset to that of NFL running back Josh Jacobs adding that he’s physical and that he’s also impressed coaches with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. Like I mentioned with Joyner, Anderson has a golden opportunity to take advantage of an inexperienced running back room that could lead him to some serious playing time this season.
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3- Desmond Umeozulu
Like the running back room, the Gamecocks are lacking depth at EDGE. And while Jordan Strachan and Terrell Dawkins are back, both are coming back from lower body injuries. The point is, USC needs as much depth at EDGE as they can get right now. That’s where Umeozulu can factor in. the true freshman, who arrived in January, has been impressing both coaches and teammates alike. Fellow EDGE Tyreek Johnson called Umeozulu, “long, tall, (and a) great athlete.” The four-star prospect from Maryland should see plenty of reps on Saturday, which could help his stock rise heading into the summer.
4- Nick Gargiulo
While there’s several players on the offensive line I’ll be keeping an eye on, it’s hard not to say that Gargiulo is the most intriguing one of the group. The transfer from Yale has been seeing more time at guard as of late, but he’s also worked at center. Going back to his early years in the Ivy League, he even played tackle. The bottom line is Gargiulo can play practically wherever South Carolina needs him to on the offensive line. Expect him to see time at both guard and center and the nastiness he brings to the game.
5- Luke Doty
I know there’s a lot of buzz surrounding freshman LaNorris Sellers but don’t write-off Doty quite yet. A year after serving as Spencer Rattler’s backup, Doty has been able to get his foot even stronger after injuring it during fall camp in 2021. I’ve said it many times before, if any fanbase knows the importance of having depth at quarterback it’s South Carolina. God forbid if anything were to happen to your starting quarterback, having a veteran quarterback waiting in the wings who you can trust is something every team in the country dreams of. Just remember this.
It was only four year ago that many in this fanbase were drooling over the fact of landing Doty. What’s changed? The fact that he was thrown in at the end of the season his freshman year for an interim coach and a team that checked out? Or that he didn’t look like himself in 2021, a year where he tried to play through a foot injury that ultimately resulted in him needing season-ending surgery? He’s nearly two years removed from that injury now. He’ll have his chance on Saturday to prove his worth and I’m excited to see it.
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