What USC’s Dakereon Joyner has seen, and liked, through the first camp practices

AUGUST 08, 2023 12:16 PM
It didn’t take long after the start of preseason camp for Dakereon Joyner to get adjusted to his new position.
After just one or two days, he was able to anchor himself in his new surroundings and hone in on becoming a true running back as a South Carolina super senior.
From his new vantage point in the backfield, Joyner can see improvements in the Gamecocks’ offensive and defensive setups. His view lined up behind the offensive line near Spencer Rattler gives him an all-encompassing look at South Carolina’s key personnel groups.
After the first four practices, he seems to like what he’s seen.
DOWELL LOGGAINS OFFENSE
Joyner on Tuesday spoke highly about new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. He echoed sentiments of other players, saying Loggains does a good job of putting them in positions to succeed and explaining schematics in a simply enough way that allows them to “play fast.”
“I think Coach Loggains is doing a good job of allowing us to just play,” Joyner said. “I think he’s doing a good job of allowing us to, whatever plays we’re comfortable with, being able to execute them as much as possible. Putting us in the best situations with the plays that we know best. Just trying to give us the best opportunity to be successful.”
ON Spencer Rattler
“We’ve always been kind of close, but definitely more closer now,” Joyner said. “We talk before every single play. We communicate. He’s asking me what I see, or me asking him, ‘What do you see?’ So definitely our relationship is continuing to grow.”
ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line is working through fall camp with “a dog mentality,” Joyner said.
“Those guys are pushing every single day with grit and a chip on their shoulder,” he said. “They’re leading the team. We go as they go. I love watching them play. I enjoy playing behind them much more now.”
MOST IMPRESSIVE NEWCOMERS?
Short answer: all of them.
But more specifically, Joyner said all the freshman defensive backs have looked good so far. Pup Howard at linebacker has been practicing well, he said. On the offensive side of the ball, Joyner pointed out freshman offensive lineman Tree Babalade.
“Really every freshman that I can think of is really going to give us a chance to win this year,” Joyner said. “They’re going to be put in positions to play. I think those guys kind of understand that, and they’re taking that on well, trying to take coaching. I think all of them are developing well.”