Depth was a topic of discussion for this South Carolina team over the course of the off-season. Early injuries have forced some younger, less experienced players into action and kept the depth conversation at the forefront. After three games, one-quarter of the season, it is time for the rise of the two-deep. Key reserves are ready to step into roles to help this team win the toughest stretches of the SEC season.
Not Too Deep at Running Back
The Gamecock’s running back room lacks the quality depth that is needed against an SEC slate. Coaches moved quarterback turned wide receiver, Dakereon Joyner, to a third position to lead the room. After this off-season decision, Carolina had four scholarship backs. Joyner has started all three games with mixed reviews. Though Joyner has had little room to work, he has missed a few holes and lacks the explosiveness to make much out of small creases and one-on-one opportunities. As a leader and veteran on the team, Joyner is extremely valuable. He has a great ability to find the end zone when the Gamecocks drive deep into the opponent’s territory but is simply not an every-down back. For the sake of the team morale, it may be beneficial to leave him as the starter but primarily play him situationally inside the 10-yard line.
Junior running back, JuJu McDowell was originally listed in the two-deep on the depth chart. McDowell is a change-of-pace player. He needs to be played in special situations and is, therefore, not a factor in this discussion. Freshman running back DJay Braswell has blazing speed but is not ready for SEC play from a strength standpoint. That leaves transfer Mario Anderson out of Newberry College. Anderson showed that he is the most polished back on the roster and his snap count increased in week 3. However, he only got two carries for nine yards. Of his two carries, one was a third and one play. He gained well beyond the one yard needed, pushing the pile and churning his legs. Giving him the ball in that situation says that the coaching staff trusts him to get the tough yard against a stout Georgia front.
Anderson needs to get 60% of the carries moving forward. He is a well-rounded back and has the best vision and experience on the team, even if it is not at the Division I level. Coaches can still give Joyner 20% of the action and play him in the red zone. McDowell is used in special scenarios. Anderson gives the Gamecocks the best chance to establish the run. This will take pressure off Spencer Rattler and the scheme of Dowell Loggains.
Two Tight Ends at the Top
Arkansas transfer Trey Knox has dominated the snaps at the tight end position. The word out of preseason camp was that Knox was the strongest blocking option on the team while also retaining more than adequate receiving ability. Knox also came to the Gamecocks through the transfer portal with his then-position coach and now offensive coordinator, Loggains. Knox has not showcased his ability as expected this season. Film from previous seasons and coaches’ comments indicate he can play at a higher level, but he has not executed well as a blocker and had a key drop in the fourth quarter against Georgia.
It stands to reason that Knox will improve as the season goes on. He has had a rough stretch, but that’s not to say he isn’t capable of playing better right away. However, the Gamecocks have another transfer tight end, Josh Simon, who is equally capable. Simon is a bit rangier than Knox and is built more like a wide receiver. That doesn’t mean he can’t be an effective blocker though at 6-4 and 240 pounds. It is time to distribute the tight end snaps more evenly. Simon needs to be getting closer to 50% of the snaps. He has shown big-play ability, catching a long catch and run pass from Rattler late against Georgia. Due to one of eleven penalties for the Gamecocks, unfortunately, the play was called back.
Loggains has done well with his scheme and play calling this season. Using more two tight end sets, or 12 personnel, to get Knox and Simon on the field at the same time could create significant mismatches. Two tight ends and a running back would allow for two receivers running routes. If one tight end and the running back help in pass protection, Rattler would still have three pass catchers available, or four if they slip the back out after a chip. Knox was used in the backfield to help in protection on Saturday, similar to how the staff used Nate Adkins last year. Having a big blocker to personally defend Rattler has proved to be very effective.
One Out of Four
Four defensive tackles were identified in the preseason as key contributors for the Gamecocks in 2023. Starters Tonka Hemingway and Alex Huntley returned to build upon already productive careers. Nick Barrett and TJ Sanders rounded out the two-deep and looked to make a push in their sophomore campaigns. Sanders alone has shown the ability to dominate inside. On Saturday between the hedges, he had nine tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. To put it shortly, he was all over the field. His efforts earned him the honor of being the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. The Gamecocks need other players along the defensive front, inside and out, to step up and make plays. They will look to Sanders to continue getting into opposing backfields and getting guys on the ground.
Sanders looked quick and hungry on Saturday. He was aggressive and played with power as he looked to attack the Georgia offense. This mentality seems to be spreading around the Carolina defense and has luckily made its way beyond the starting group and into the two-deep.
Other Notable Players
There are several others who were battling for playing time who have established themselves as members of the two-deep and even challenged for starting roles in some cases. To begin, wide receiver O’Mega Blake has been pushed from a backup role to a starting position due to the injury to Juice Wells. Blake has worked well opposite breakout star Xavier Legette. With much attention going to Legette after Wells reinjured his foot on Saturday, Blake led the team in receiving with five catches for 86 yards. He will look to continue increasing production this week.
Injuries also put freshman Jalon Kilgore in a starting safety spot. Although starter Nick Emmanwori has returned, the experience that Kilgore gained has allowed him to play a more significant role moving forward.
Linebacker play has improved, but injuries in the two-deep have put highly touted freshman, Pup Howard into action. Though Debo Williams and Stone Blanton are starting, Howard continues to see more time. If he continues to improve, he could overtake Blanton as a starter by the end of the season.
Finally, another big freshman answered a big question for the Gamecocks in Athens. “Big Tree” Babalade stepped in and started at left tackle after, wait for it, injuries and subpar play at the position opened an opportunity. In his first start in college, against one the best defensive lines in the country, Babalade allowed zero sacks. Shane Beamer said after the game that he (and Loggains) did some things schematically to help Babalade. That is not to diminish the performance at all. That position is solidified and fellow freshman O-lineman, Trovon Baugh will look to work his way into a starting role at guard before the end of the season as well.
On Thin Ice
The rise of the two-deep for the Gamecocks is a welcomed surprise in some cases and rather expected for other players. Carolina is lucky to have players playing as well as they have to fill the gaps due to injuries to this point. However, one thing is clear moving forward: Injuries have to stop. If this team wants to match its win total (8) from last year, it will need to see continued improvement from backups. The Gamecocks need to get a few key players back from injuries and fight off any further injuries to important contributors.
The matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday night in Columbia looms large. More to come on the Bulldogs later this week.
Photo courtesy: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
