3 key questions for South Carolina wide receivers, including help for Shi Smith
The State is previewing the 2020 South Carolina football team by position. Some key questions among the pass catchers.
Key departures: Bryan Edwards, Chavis Dawkins
Projected depth chart: Starters: Shi Smith, Josh Vann, Xavier Legette
Top backups: Dakereon Joyner, OrTre Smith, Tyquan Johnson
Who steps up besides Shi Smith?
Smith isn’t totally proven as a No. 1 option, but he’s a three-year starter and was a high-end player in 2018. After that, there are just so many unknowns. Josh Vann was handed a starting spot last year, but couldn’t hold it. OrTre Smith has yet to overcome a genetic knee issue that cost him the 2018 season. Xavier Legette got snaps late, but didn’t put up much in terms of production. In short, the Gamecocks need someone else to become a tangible threat.
What does Dakereon Joyner’s transition look like?
Joyner has speed, toughness and enough potential that the staff gambled on him as an athletic quarterback a few years ago. Now he is headed to receiver full-time after having to play two positions in 2019 because of Jake Bentley‘s injury. So what does that look like? He showed the potential of a slot receiver in the spring. At a position where the Gamecocks will likely have some question marks, he could allow offensive coordinator Mike Bobo a versatile option for some different looks.
Can a freshman step up?
After what turned out to be the final practice of South Carolina’s spring ball, Bobo said he was excited for what incoming freshmen Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell might be able to bring to the offense. Perhaps that was a commentary on the receiver depth the team had at that point, but each of those young players is athletic, moves well and seem like the sort of players who could possibly contribute in Year 1. They won’t have proven competition ahead of them, but they will also be playing catch-up after the coronavirus-related interruptions to the offseason.
2020 South Carolina football schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 12 vs. East Carolina
Sept. 19 vs. Missouri
Sept. 26 at Kentucky
Oct. 3 at Florida
Oct. 10 vs. Tennessee
Oct. 24 vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 31 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 7 Georgia
Nov. 14 at LSU
Nov. 21 vs. Wofford
Nov. 28 at Clemson
This story was originally published July 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
