USC football has played a few newcomers. Here’s who’s stepped in this season
Through five games this season, South Carolina has slowly worked in transfer players and freshmen who joined the program last offseason.
Slowly, being the key term. Head coach Shane Beamer has repeatedly said over the past few weeks he wants to get the new players involved in games, while creating a balanced offense.
Freshmen like Jalon Kilgore, Tree Balabade and Trovon Baugh have seen a significant amount of playing time stepping in for injured veterans, and a majority of the transfer players are starting to get involved in games, as well.
Here’s who has seen action this season, and what stats they’ve recorded so far.
The freshmen
QB LaNorris Sellers: Played in one game (vs. Furman in Week 2), threw for 86 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
RB Djay Braswell: Played in one game (vs. Furman in Week 2), rushed for 17 yards on four carries.
RB Kamron Sandlin: Has not seen action this season.
WR CJ Adams: Has not seen action this season.
WR Elijah Caldwell: Has not seen action this season.
WR Nyck Harbor: Played in all five games this season, scoring his first collegiate touchdown (a 7-yard reception) against Furman in Week 2.
WR Kelton Henderson: Has not seen action this season.
WR Tyshawn Russell: Played in three games this season — Furman, Mississippi State and Tennessee. Scored his first collegiate touchdown against Furman and has 77 yards on four receptions.
TE Connor Cox: Made his collegiate debut against Furman in Week 2, but didn’t record any statistics.
TE Reid Mikeska: Has not seen action this season.
OL Markee Anderson: Suffered a season-ending knee injury, has not seen action this season.
OL Trovon Baugh: Stepped in as a starting offensive lineman, playing four games at right guard.
OL Tree Babalade: Stepped in as a starting offensive lineman, playing four games and started at left tackle in three.
OL Jatavius Shivers: Played against Furman in Week 2.
DL Xzavier McLeod: Played in three games — Furman, Georgia and Tennessee. Earned one assisted tackle, one deflected pass and one interception against Furman.
DL Desmond Umeozulu: Played every game so far this season, recorded four tackles.
LB Grayson “Pup” Howard: Played in four games this season — Furman, Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee. Made his debut against Furman in Week 2. He has recorded eight tackles this season, including five solo tackles.
DB Judge Collier: Played every game so far this season, recorded five tackles (all solo).
DB Jalon Kilgore: Played in every game so far this season, started in four. Recorded 42 tackles, 24 solo and 18 assisted, 0.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and earned his first career interception against Tennessee.
DB Zahbari Sandy: Played in two games — Furman and Georgia. Made his debut against Furman in Week 2. He has not recorded any tackles.
DB Vicari Swain: Played in three games — UNC, Furman and Georgia — recording two tackles (both solo).
The transfer class
RB Mario Anderson (Newberry): Played in every game this season, recording 230 rushing yards on 44 carries. Scored his first Division I touchdown against Mississippi State and had season-high rushing yards (101) against Tennessee.
WR Eddie Lewis (Memphis): Played in every game this season, recording 120 receiving yards on nine receptions. Hasn’t scored a touchdown this season.
TE Nick Elksnis (Florida): Played in two games so far, making his South Carolina debut against Furman. Hasn’t recorded any statistics.
TE Trey Knox (Arkansas): Played in all five games this season, recording 164 yards on 17 receptions. Scored first touchdown of the season against Mississippi State.
TE Joshua Simon (Western Kentucky): Played in all five games this season, recording 38 yards on eight catches. Hasn’t scored a touchdown this season.
OL Nick Gargiulo (Yale): Played and started in all five games this season at left guard.
OL Sidney Fugar (Western Illinois): Played in all five games this season, started in three at right tackle.
DL Jatius Geer (Syracuse): Played in two games this season — Mississippi State and Tennessee. Recorded one solo tackle and one pass breakup.
DL Drew Tuazama (UAB): Played in four games this season (all but Tennessee) started in one. Recorded one solo tackle against Georgia.
LB Jaron Willis (Ole Miss): Has not seen action this season.
This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
