Gamecocks' lines of scrimmage will look different in 2023

COLUMBIA — More could always be brought in, but at this point, South Carolina seems set. The Gamecocks have everybody back on campus for summer workouts and while the transfer portal could always spit out a new one, USC’s current crop of linemen should be what’s harvested for the season. The Gamecocks will have substantial change on each side of the line of scrimmage, some new starters and some new faces. Breaking down the losses and additions: Offense “I love the way they’re trying to play together,” said offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, who was promoted from interim to permanent O-line coach after the Gator Bowl. “We lost five guys and three of them played a lot. Another two, even though they didn’t play, were big parts of the room.” Eric Douglas, a 57-game player as a center, is gone, as are Jovaughn Gwyn (47 consecutive starts) and Dylan Wonnum (40 starts). With Wonnum's spot, the answer is already apparent: Tyshawn Wannamaker started at right tackle for four games last year when Wonnum was hurt, including the Gator Bowl. After starting the Garnet and Black Spring Game at right tackle, it stands to reason that Wannamaker will get the call at that spot for the season. At left tackle, Jaylen Nichols and Jakai Moore split the position last year (Wonnum started there against Georgia) while Moore, Vershon Lee and Trai Jones split time at left guard. Nichols was injured in the spring game and will definitely miss some of the season, and perhaps all of it. That would seemingly place Moore at LT to start. Behind Moore could be portal find Sidney Fugar, who played LT at Western Illinois. Other depth will have to be found in fall camp, as the Gamecocks have a lot of names, but almost all are players projected to play elsewhere. Grayson Mains, a redshirt freshman who was originally thought to eventually be a center, could figure in. At left guard, freshman Markee Anderson started the spring game and coach Shane Beamer has said that he’s talented enough to start right away. Jones could challenge for the spot as well as right guard, which has a plethora of candidates. Jones was the starter during the spring game and Lee, who played a lot of LG last year and has started 17 of his 28 career games, could also challenge. “The guys we got that played a lot, it’s been good because they have SEC experience,” Teasley said. “They know what that game is like. They know what it’s like in the trenches on gameday.” That leaves center, where the past five years featured No. 71 in the middle far more often than not. Douglas is gone, and while Lee started there in the spring, he isn’t expected to retain that role as he’s needed elsewhere. Nick Gargiulo was imported from Yale and has already taken on a leadership role, befitting a man who’s been around the block quite a few times. The Gamecocks will need to find a serviceable backup in camp, although Lee could slide over and do it as long as there’s a replacement for him. “Nick can really play all five (positions) if you needed him to,” Teasley said. “In every O-line room, you need the guy who sets the temperature for the effort. He does that.” Defense The change starts at the top, with alum Travian Robertson replacing Jimmy Lindsey as the D-line coach. Robertson was hired after spring practice concluded, so he hasn’t had a great chance to see his guys on the field. Robertson may bring in a completely new scheme, but he’ll likely tailor to the strengths of the players he inherited. The Gamecocks lost two every-game starters (edge Jordan Burch and tackle Zacch Pickens) and another two players (M.J. Webb and Gilber Edmond) who started 13 games between them. Depth could be an issue, but in a bit of good fortune, the Gamecocks were able to find some guys who can fill in during the spring. Tonka Hemingway, Jordan Strachan and Tyreek Johnson did not participate while recovering from injuries, leaving the hope that the players who did practice will bring that experience to the fall. Hemingway leads it, anchoring the middle of the line, and Alex “Boogie” Huntley could take a step forward. “There’s not a player in our room who watches more tape than him, who prepares off the field,” Lindsey said of Hemingway. “He can grab those ones in the back and give them little tips, little nuggets to help them understand the scheme.” Huntley’s issue going into his fourth year in the program hasn’t been effort, it’s been health. He’s played in 25 games with three starts. “The main thing from Boogie has obviously been the leadership within the room, when they get together outside of our meetings,” Lindsey said. “His willingness to continue to improve on the little things every day.” Strachan returns for a seventh year of college after an ACL tear last season. If he can regain his form, the Gamecocks will have a lot of dependable production at one edge spot. If not, newcomer Elijah Davis and up-and-comer Bryan Thomas started during the spring game. Behind them are a lot of names with scant experience. The staff likes Nick Barrett and T.J. Sanders, who have at least each been in the program. These may be the spots where true freshmen immediately step in. Desmond Umeozulu and Xzavier McLeod were highly recruited and could figure in.