South Carolina offensive line hoping to capitalize on late season development in 2022
South Carolina’s offensive line has a chip on its shoulder.
For a unit that was maligned as much as any in 2021, they’re hoping continuity and another offseason of growth can give the Gamecocks offense more stability up front.
“We want to roll over everyone,” fourth-year tackle Jaylen Nichols said on Thursday. “That’s how I’m feeling.”
USC’s offensive line finished the 2021 season at or near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference in most every major metric recorded by Pro Football Focus. South Carolina’s 31 sacks allowed also ranked second-to-last among SEC East teams, ahead of only Tennessee.
That the Gamecocks struggled to protect the four different quarterbacks last fall wasn’t, in truth, entirely on the offensive line. Missed assignments here and there from running backs and tight ends certainly added to the issues. But for a group that brought back over 100 combined starts among its projected starters in 2021, South Carolina needed better.
“We’re not gonna change who we are,” center Eric Douglas said in March. “We love who we are through the ups and the downs. We stay together. It got rough at times, but you cant’ really look to the outside. Like (offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield) says all the time, everybody that we have in that offensive team room is who we’ve got.”
This isn’t to say the 2022 line will be a pillar of stability. Really, the Gamecocks simply need to be adequate to take advantage of an offense that has added a handful of new pieces to a unit that finished 110th of 130 FBS teams in total offense.
Former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler’s arrival has fans anticipating an offensive breakout. The additions of fellow OU import Austin Stogner, James Madison receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. and Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith are also part of the equation.
That’s not to mention the returns of receiver Josh Vann, do-it-all offensive weapon Jaheim Bell and running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Juju McDowell.
The line will also bring back just about everyone from last year’s unit. tackle Dylan Wonnum, guards Jovaughn Gwyn and Vershon Lee, Douglas and Nichols are all back. So too, are backups Jakai Moore, Tyshawn Wannamker and Hank Manos.
“The consistency of the product throughout the season wasn’t good,” offensive line coach Greg Adkins said in March. “But, as the season moved on, I think you saw some progression and more consistency.”
There were pieces of last season worth hanging a hat on. The season-high 301-yard rushing effort against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl gave onlookers a glimpse at how effective and dominant the offensive line could be when working in unison.
Nichols was among the nine football players from the 2021 roster and 97 total Gamecocks who’ll receive their degree from USC this week. Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.
Nichols joked Thursday that he and the offensive line approached Satterfield during the bowl game and asked that he keep running the football. The Tar Heels couldn’t get a push and the Gamecocks’ offensive line felt it was in rhythm.
“I just want to win,” Nichols said of the expectations for 2022. “Winning feels so good. Winning that bowl game felt so good. I want to feel that again and I want (our group) to feel that again, too, because I know they were happy.”
One offseason and a slew of returners won’t cure all ills. South Carolina’s line is still a group that struggled push the run game over 100 yards in seven of 12 games against FBS competition last year and had its issues in pass protection.
The Gamecocks have plenty of new toys at offensive skill positions, but it’ll take an improved effort by the offensive line to reap the benefits of that added talent.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
