Spencer Rattler headlines South Carolina’s group at 2023 SEC Media Days
South Carolina is heading for Nashville — and it’s bringing a star-studded crew.
USC head coach Shane Beamer will be accompanied by quarterback Spencer Rattler, defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and punter Kai Kroeger will represent the Gamecocks at 2023 SEC Media Days, the league announced on Monday.
Beamer joked during last year’s event that he hoped to bring Rattler to this year’s SEC Media Days, though outside perception was that he’d turn pro after just one season at South Carolina. Now back in the fold for the 2023 football season, Rattler will be one of five quarterbacks at the event.
The other signal-callers taking part in this year’s media days also include:
- Jayden Daniels — LSU
- Will Rogers — Mississippi State
- Joe Milton — Tennessee
- KJ Jefferson — Arkansas
Rattler heads to Nashville as one of the marquee names among attendees after spurning the NFL to return for one more season in Columbia. His 2022 season was largely up and down through the first 10 games before he flashed the potential that has professional scouts salivating over his possible fit at the next level. Rattler capped the regular season completing 55 of 76 passes (72.3%) for 798 yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions in upset wins over No. 5 Tennessee and No. 8 Clemson.
Kroeger, largely expected to be one of the best punters in the country this fall, is the lone special teams player among SEC teams at this year’s event. The fourth-year punter was named a first team All-American in 2022 by The Athletic and ESPN and ranks second in school history with a 44.2-yard per punt average.
Hemingway is the heavy favorite to anchor the Gamecocks’ defensive line in 2023 after losing starting defensive ends Jordan Burch (Oregon) and Gilber Edmond (Florida State) to the transfer portal. The Conway product has played inside and outside along the South Carolina defensive front over the last two years and should see some time at defensive end this fall as the Gamecocks have limited depth at the spot. Hemingway missed the spring while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery, but has appeared in all 36 games over the last three seasons.
South Carolina’s contingent will go through its run of media obligations on July 20, the final day of festivities in Nashville. USC will be joined that day by Ole Miss and Tennessee.
SEC Media Days Player Attendees
Alabama
- JC Latham, OL, Junior
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Junior
- Dallas Turner, LB, Junior
Arkansas
- Landon Jackson, DE, Junior
- KJ Jefferson, QB, Senior
- Raheim Sanders, RB, Junior
Auburn
- Luke Deal, TE, Senior
- Elijah McAllister, LB, Senior
- Kameron Stutts, OL, Senior
Florida
- Kingsley Eguakun, OL, Junior
- Jason Marshall Jr., DB, Junior
- Ricky Pearsall, WR, Senior
Georgia
- Brock Bowers, TE, Junior
- Kamari Lassiter, DB, Junior
- Sedrick Van Pran, OL, Junior
Kentucky
- Eli Cox, OL, Senior
- Octavious Oxendine, DL, Senior
- J.J. Weaver, LB, Senior
LSU
- Jayden Daniels, QB, Senior
- Josh Williams, RB, Senior
- Mekhi Wingo, DT, Junior
Ole Miss
- Cedric Johnson, DE, Senior
- Quinshon Judkins, RB, Sophomore
- Deantre Prince, CB, Senior
Mississippi State
- Jaden Crumedy, DT, Senior
- Jo’quavious Marks, RB, Senior
- Will Rogers, QB, Senior
Missouri
- Kris Abrams-Draine, DB, Junior
- Javon Foster, OL, Senior
- Darius Robinson, DL, Senior
South Carolina
- Tonka Hemingway, DL, Senior
- Kai Kroeger, P, Senior
- Spencer Rattler, QB, Senior
Tennessee
- Joe Milton III, QB, Senior
- Omari Thomas, DL, Senior
- Jacob Warren, TE, Senior
Texas A&M
- Fadil Diggs, DL, Junior
- McKinnley Jackson, DL, Senior
- Ainias Smith, WR, Senior
Vanderbilt
- Ethan Barr, LB, Senior
- Jaylen Mahoney, S, Senior
- Will Sheppard, WR, Senior
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 11:19 AM.
