On scout team, Gamecocks not limiting Dakereon Joyner to just quarterback

The question was really about Georgia’s running game.

South Carolina linebacker/defensive end Daniel Fennell was running down how the Gamecocks, nominally a spread attack, can simulate a Georgia squad that comes downhill with as much power as you’ll find. One of the early names he mentioned was a little out of place.

“Dakereon (Joyner)’s super fast,” Fennell said. “Super shifty.”

Say again?

Joyner is a mobile quarterback. Perhaps he could imitate five-star Georgia backup Justin Fields, but doesn’t exactly align with starter Jake Fromm, a pro-style passer in almost every sense.

But he’s not only playing quarterbacks for the scout team.

“He does different things,” Fennell said. “Whatever they ask him to do, he’ll do. He’s real unselfish. He’ll split out, be a receiver. He’ll play quarterback, he’ll do running back. He’ll do whatever they want.”

Joyner came to USC as a dual-threat option with a good deal of work to do on his passing. Will Muschamp has hit that point several times.

One former coach who went to a practice said Joyner could be special at a different position, but USC’s staff has said it is keeping him at quarterback.

But not on the scout team, when a staff can move players all over. That ability has at least earned him the respect of his teammates.

“I think it’s amazing,” Fennell said. “Credit to him. He’s a great athlete.”