Gamecocks Football Positional Breakdowns: Offensive Line

Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks offensive lineman Josiah Thompson (74) during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images | Butch Dill-Imagn Images

South Carolina returns left tackle Josiah Thompson and right tackle Cason Henry to bookend an offensive line that is otherwise a new unit. How will the Gamecocks look as a unit in 2025? Let's take a look.

Center Vershon Lee and guards Torricelli Simpkins III and Kamaar Bell were the veterans along the interior of South Carolina's offensive line in 2024. With those guys heading to the NFL, the Gamecocks will have to replace their production, but how will they do it.

Interior Offensive Line

South Carolina brought in a few transfers this past offseason to compete with guys currently on the roster. Tree Babalade has played at tackle in the past, but he will get his opportunity to kick inside this fall as a guard. Babalade will fight for the job against Trovon Baugh, Markee Anderson, and Nick Sharpe.

Center is a battle between Troy transfer Boaz Stanley and Western Kentucky transfer Rodney Newsome Jr. Stanley has more experience at the center spot and appears to be in the driver seat for the starting position. Newsome Jr.'s versatility provides South Carolina good depth at the guard and center spots.

Offensive Tackles

Thompson burst on to the scene early at left tackle for the Gamecocks in 2024. The former South Carolina Mr. Football quickly earned the left tackle spot and never looked back. The talented true sophomore has all the talent to be one of the best left tackles in the nation over the next couple years.

Henry locks down the right side of the line. He has had injury issues in the past, but when available he provides the Gamecocks stability across from Thompson.

If you missed out on our other breakdowns for the offense, you can view those here.

Join the community:

• Follow Alex Joyce on Twitter: @AlexJoyceSI
• Follow Matthew Peavy on Twitter: @TheMattPeavy
• Follow Isaiah Collins on Twitter: @IsaiahCEC
• Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
• Follow Luke Brumm on Twitter: @lukebrummcfb

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!

You Might Also Like:

• Can South Carolina Repeat Last Season's Success on the Defensive Side of the Ball?
• South Carolina Lands QB Of The Future Landon Duckworth
• Is LaNorris Sellers the Best Quarterback in the Country? One National Analyst Believes This to be the Case