Newcomer EJ Jenkins among our 7 breakout candidates for the Gamecocks in 2021

South Carolina’s football team needs some folks to break out this season, and they’ll need it fast.

The Gamecocks exited 2020 short on play-makers, and an exodus of transfers, plus a few graduates, leave the roster highly short of proven options. But that only means less-proven players will get their chances, and here are a few with chances to make good this spring and for the 2021 season under new head coach Shane Beamer.

Running back MarShawn Lloyd

He likely would have broken out last season, but a knee injury ended things early. He’s still likely the most talented offensive player USC has. Teammates just raved about his skills before the injury. The stout, quick back can be a top play-maker and won’t have to carry the heaviest load with Kevin Harris also in the backfield. He’s a guy who could be a special runner. Lloyd will be limited this spring.

Defensive end Jordan Burch

He’s the highest-rated recruit on the whole roster. Last season, the former five-star had flashes. Maybe it was a big tackle for loss here, or chasing down a screen there. He’s a hard worker and the sky is the limit on his talent at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds. Last season, he posted 19 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Expect him to pull a few things together after last year’s experience and develop into a key part of the Gamecocks’ defensive line.

Receiver/tight end EJ Jenkins

The towering (6-foot-7, 242-pound) transfer from FCS St. Francis offers an intriguing target to say the least. He might be a receiver. He might be a tight end. Either way, chances are good he’s going to be on the field and getting targets. South Carolina’s pass-catching group simply wasn’t good enough, or deep enough, a season ago. Having a big, speedy target such as Jenkins should help. He posted 779 yards on 39 catches the last season he played. Expect the new Gamecocks offense with Marcus Satterfield to feature him in a big way.

Linebacker Debo Williams

The Gamecocks struggled with linebacker health and depth last season, and Williams was part of the attempt to rectify those issues. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Delaware transfer has gotten after it through the offseason and could well find himself in a starting spot. With Ernest Jones off to the NFL, South Carolina needs someone to both anchor things and manage the defense. Williams could end up being that guy.

Tight end Keveon Mullins (or Jaheim Bell)

South Carolina’s staff knows what it has in Nick Muse, who turned down a shot at the NFL for another year in Columbia. But behind him, there’s unproven potential. Mullins started to show promise last season, but an ankle injury and surgery ultimately cost him the final six game. The stout former wide receiver has showed well in workouts, and could add something different. If he doesn’t, Bell has a good chance to. The sophomore from Valdosta, Georgia returned from injury last season and showed some flashes late. He drew strong reviews from the last staff, and has the pieces in his game to be a productive player.

Cornerback Joey Hunter

South Carolina’s secondary is in a rough spot, with almost no proven players at corner, big questions at safety and a need for new players to step up. The staff imported a batch of transfer or junior college corners, but Hunter is an interesting player already on the roster. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, he was limited last season coming off a torn ACL. But he’s a good hitter and showed well in practices at times. Still likely a corner for the moment, he could work his way into a key role at a position that needs someone to step up.

Offensive lineman Vershon Lee

Four offensive line starters are returning for the Gamecocks, so a breakout option there might have limited opportunities. By experience, Jordan Rhodes seems like a top option (he started for most of 2019), but don’t sleep on Lee. He was worked in at tackle as a talented true freshman last year, a tall ask for any player, and had some issues. But at 6-foot-3, 313 pounds, guard is his natural position and he’s got ability. The former staff was particularly high on him, and after a year with some snaps, he could take that step forward into a larger role.