REACTION: South Carolina Releases Inaugural 2023 Depth Chart
There are certain markers in the preseason that signal to fans that college football is almost back. One of those preseason markers is the release of a team's depth chart, which typically takes place the week of their first game. On Monday afternoon, South Carolina's athletic department officially released the depth chart for South Carolina's entire football team.
I have one main takeaway when looking at the Gamecocks' initial 2023 depth chart: most positions are solidified, but others remain uncertain. Let's start off with the bevy of "ORs" listed on the depth chart in the trenches.
On the offensive line, battles are ongoing at both offensive tackle spots. Sidney Fugar and Jaxon Hughes are both listed at what I'm assuming will be the left tackle spot, while Cason Henry and Tyshawn Wannamaker are battling it out at, I suppose, the right tackle spot. The interior offensive line seems to be set, with Vershon Lee starting at center, Nick Gargiulo at one of the guard spots, and Jakai Moore being listed as a starter at the other guard spot.
The defensive end and edge positions also seem to remain up in the air, as Jordan Strachan, Bryan Thomas Jr., and Desmond Umeozulu are all listed side by side at the specialized edge rusher position. At the same time, Tyreek Johnson, Jatius Geer, and Terrell Dawkins are grouped together at the other defensive end spot.
At wide receiver, Nyck Harbor, O'Mega Blake, and Eddie Lewis are all listed as the backups behind Juice Wells, Ahmarean Brown, and Xavier Legette. After strong offseasons, Debo Williams and Stone Blanton are listed as the two starters at linebacker, while Pup Howard and Mohamed Kaba are listed as the backups.
Four players in just their first or second year in the program have cracked the two-deep in the secondary. Redshirt freshman Keenan Nelson Jr. is listed as the starting nickel corner ahead of David Spaulding. Redshirt freshman Emory Floyd and true freshman Judge Collier are listed as the backup outside corners in Torrian Gray's secondary. At the safety position, true freshman Jalon Kilgore is listed as a backup, as expected, while King Demenian-Ford, who just received the Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship this past weekend, was listed as the backup at strong safety.
One important thing to remember is that this depth chart the Gamecocks start will look different by season's end due to the progression of certain players and unavoidable injuries.
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