What to expect from Gamecocks football freshmen: offense

The 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks football recruiting class ranked 16th nationally according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Head coach Shane Beamer is on record saying that the program may be in line to play a true freshman at “basically” every position this season.

GamecockCentral.com dives in with a closer look at reasonable expectations for all of the ’23 class members. Today’s focus will be on offense. Keep in mind that NCAA rules allow for college football players to participate in up to four games during the course of the season and still preserve a redshirt.

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Quarterback LaNorris Sellers

This later acquisition is one that already has the look of one that’s incredibly important for the future success of the program.

Let there be no doubt that this is Spencer Rattler’s team and he’s the starting quarterback. It’s hard to envision that changing. While he’s the QB of the present, Sellers has every bit the look, based on early buzz, of the quarterback of the future.

The Palmetto State prospect may be too good to keep off the field in year one, though. Particularly with USC’s question marks at the running back position, Sellers seems intriguing as a short-yardage option, where he was automatic in high school. Of course, he can also throw it quite well.

It’s easy to envision a scenario where he plays enough to avoid a redshirt, even in year one with an establishing starter at quarterback.

Running back Dontavius Braswell

From what we hear, this Georgia former four-star has been as hoped in terms of his speed and how he’s picked things up so far.

At a position where there are typically some injuries over the course of a season, it’s quite easy for a team to dip into the depth. That, at a minimum, gives Braswell a better shot of playing snaps this season.

He could also prove to be a quality option in his own right. USC doesn’t have an established, every-down starter returning, although there are a couple of candidates to become that on the roster.

This is one we’ll revisit again in the midst of/after preseason camp, to be sure.

For now, let’s say he plays and avoids a redshirt.

Running back Kam Sandlin

Yes, we are listing Sandlin as a running back here.

Recruited by the Gamecocks as a tight end out of the state of Alabama, this former high school quarterback is comfortable with the ball in his hands in the backfield.

We’ll know more in preseason as to where he may fit in at the position.

At this point: let’s say he redshirts.

Wide receiver CJ Adams

The discussed vision with Adams during the recruiting process was as a “wide back”, a Jaheim-Bell type role where he could line up in a variety of spots. Running back would not likely be included in that package.

Since then, the offense has changed from Marcus Satterfield to Dowell Loggains. Adams does carry good size at 6-foot-2, 210-pounds.

There are several experienced pass-catchers on the roster, and while there is likely to be room for some newcomers to contribute in some form, we would project a redshirt here.

Wide receiver Elijah Caldwell

A prospect that USC offered and gained a commitment from later in the cycle, there are already some indications that he is going to have a shot to contribute early in his career.

Caldwell may not be as flashy or blow one away with measurables, but he produced in a big way at the high school level and has already shown some of those same traits during his time in Columbia.

This one may change in preseason camp, but let’s say he plays enough to avoid a redshirt.

Wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor

This five-star was a major recruiting win for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. He is also probably the most interesting player on the roster as far as how he could be used.

Harbor obviously has elite speed and is a physical specimen. He’s still developing as a wideout, sure.

It seems that the staff will want to find enough of a role for him to avoid a redshirt in year one.

Wide receiver Kelton Henderson

This Sunshine State product went a bit under-discussed among the prospects in the class.

Athletically, Henderson checks a lot of the boxes that you look for in an SEC pass-catcher.

We’ll see how he continues to progress and how he picks things up once USC puts the pads on and gets into preseason camp.

For now, let’s say redshirt.

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Wide receiver Tyshawn Russell

Another prospect that emerged later in the Gamecocks’ 2023 class, Russell was incredibly productive in high school.

He began his high school career as a defensive back prior to moving over to offense, where he flourished. He’ll probably need some more time to continue growing and developing, but definitely a guy to remember for the future.

We believe Russell redshirts in year one.

Tight end Connor Cox

This one has become perhaps a tougher projection than we originally envisioned. Cox has looked very good in the offseason and been somewhat of a workout warrior for the Gamecocks.

He’s a hard-nosed player who is likely to be a quality blocker and special teams player for USC in the future.

We’ll still say redshirt here, with one key reason being USC’s trio of upperclass tight ends. It would not be a surprise to see this one go the other way.

Tight end Reid Mikeska

The logic on Mikeska will be similar to the rationale for Cox. Jody Wright has some more experienced players at his disposal with Trey Knox, Josh Simon, and Nick Elksnis.

Mikeska has intriguing two-way ability and was a nice recruiting get as a flip from Miami.

Let’s go with a redshirt for now.

Offensive lineman Markee Anderson

This may be the easiest one out of the entire class on offense. Shane Beamer is on record saying that Anderson “will play” this season.

By that, he probably did not mean spot or mop-up duty if given the chance. Particularly with the injury to left tackle Jaylen Nichols, the Gamecocks have already dipped into the depth more than expected.

Anderson, even without that injury, made some noise in the spring. He’s an athletic, versatile, powerful player. He could get a look at guard or tackle this season and could be a part of the rotation in year one. He plays.

Offensive lineman Oluwatosin Babalade

“Big Tree” was one that USC fans celebrated as a recruiting win, and rightfully so. He certainly looks the part physically.

We look forward to getting a closer look at him once camp begins in August. It’s still harder for true freshmen to play enough to not redshirt at the end of the day.

Let’s go with a redshirt for now.

Offensive lineman Trovon Baugh

We are not sure why, but Baugh flew a bit under the radar during recruiting. Perhaps it was because he was an early commitment and was not the subject of a highly contested recruiting battle.

He should probably be getting more love. He’s a massive player in terms of his lower body build and the staff seems excited about him.

Baugh could see some snaps here, but maybe not more than four games worth. Let’s say he preserves his redshirt. This is one we’ll monitor during preseason, for sure.

Offensive lineman Jatavius Shivers

Here’s another guy with plenty of size. Shivers had a short-lived pledge to Vanderbilt but flipped to South Carolina during the recruiting process.

The same logic applies here on the offensive line; it would be good for Shivers to be able to develop for a season. We’ll project a redshirt here.

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