Two South Carolina freshman play-makers Will Muschamp intends to play this season
One made his impression before South Carolina’s preseason camp even started. The other had a lower profile but has started to come on as camp wraps up.
And this week, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp made it clear: Freshman wide receivers Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell are going to get some game action this season.
“Right now Rico and Ger-Cari are two guys we plan on playing and plan on contributing for us,” Muschamp said.
Powers has been a bit of a given, getting called out multiple times through the summer as someone who showed well. But Caldwell seemed to take a little longer, learning some of the finer points when he could no longer just burn past folks.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder came on late in his Northwestern High School career, having a down junior campaign but delivering more than 700 yards as a senior for a team that wasn’t overly talented.
But Caldwell started to impress his teammates as camp continued on.
“That boy is a ball hawk. If the ball’s in the air, he’s most likely coming down with it,” transfer wide receiver Jalen Brooks said. “It’s good to see young guys making plays.”
If Caldwell can produce this season, it gives the Gamecocks pretty solid depth as the staff has already said it’s high on at least six receivers, including Powers and freshman wide receiver Luke Doty. The team lost Randrecous Davis and OrTre Smith to coronavirus opt outs.
Ger-Cari is a bigger, longer receiver with some speed,” Dakereon Joyner said.
That taller option might help, as Brooks is still waiting on a waiver in order to play this season and no other available receivers stand taller than 6-foot-2.
Powers stands right at that 6-foot-2, and although he didn’t come to campus until after the spring, his talent was quickly apperent.
“Rico reminds me of me,” Brooks said. “I know it’s crazy to say because I was at a Division II, but his camp performance reminds me of me. He’s always getting of the ball and wanting to block. He’s trying to make those plays to make him reliable on the field. That opened up my eyes with him. Especially during the scrimmages he’s done a phenomenal job.”
Muschamp said he expects Powers will help on special teams, bringing an uncommon level of physical play at his position that makes him good in coverage and blocking. The team used former star Deebo Samuel in those kinds of roles for a few seasons.
Part of Powers’ physical background might link back to his time as a running back. In his junior season, he was a 1,000-yard rusher in an option attack. He transferred to Atlanta power Hapeville Charter as a senior and put up more than 470 yards in a spread system.
The Gamecocks have one established starter in Shi Smith, and an array of questions after that. Sophomore Xavier Legette has potential but needs to tap into it. Brooks is waiting on that waiver. Doty and Joyner were both quarterbacks last year (and Doty is still to a large degree). Josh Vann is a former four-star who has showed well in camp after his expectations had been talked down.
But in that field, Powers and Caldwell will have their chance at some playing time. The Gamecocks kick off the season Sept. 26 against Tennessee.
“Them boys are some dogs,” Brooks said. “They come to practice every day and want to work. They want to get better and they want to see the field.”
