3 key questions for South Carolina special teams with some key pieces gone
The State is previewing the 2020 South Carolina football team by position. Some key questions at special teams spots.
Key departures: Matt Olivaria, Joseph Charlton, Bryan Edwards, Will Tommie
How to replace Joseph Charlton at punter?
The answer might simply be Kai Kroeger. The freshman punter got a scholarship out of high school, something not all that common for a special-teamer. Still, players at that position are often hard to project. He’ll get some competition from Christian Kinsley, a Lexington product who started for one year at Kennesaw State and split time for another. In any case, Charlton was a big part of South Carolina’s opponents having the 20th-worst starting field position in the country last year.
Filled in a snap?
A year ago, South Carolina went with a scholarship graduate transfer to fill a rather gaping hole at long snapper. Although it’s not a position that gets much attention, if it becomes a problem it’s a big, big problem. The staff added walk-on Matthew Bailey last offseason and Luke Lynn joined in the spring. Former Appalachian State transfer Max Durschlag left the roster after the spring. Bailey might be the favorite here, but it’s a job that someone has to fill.
Can the return game get more pop?
It seems like a constant refrain across the sport, fans wanting staffs to put their fastest and most explosive guys at return spots. Last year, Bryan Edwards had a couple nice returns but was mostly a solid player catching punts. Shi Smith had one big kick return against UNC, but there didn’t seem to be much burst there after that. With Smith in a more vital offensive role and Edwards gone, there could be an opportunity for someone young with speed to make his case.
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
