COLOMBIA – If it was Will Muschamp’s sixth year, recruitment would be discredited. But it’s Shane Beamer’s first year, and he’s taking anyone he can.
With a small autograph class in December and not much help expected when the second National Signature Day of the period arrives on Wednesday, Beamer has been combing the transfer portal and junior colleges for opportunities. South Carolina needs players and guards, as the coach had no favors with the squad he inherited.
He has come a long way, with some players capable of making an immediate impact. Other remnants fill out a list of possible candidates for flight to 2021.
SeaShawn Lloyd
Running back
Freshman Redshirt
His story was the biggest unwritten story of the past year and it also, strangely, didn’t have much real effect.
Lloyd would be the next Marcus Lattimore, a first-rate prospect becoming the next generation’s star. Then he fell on the second day of camping in August with a torn ACL. His reserve, Kevin Harris, ran for 1,138 yards, the SEC’s second best total and only the ninth player in school history to break 1,000 yards.
Who knows if Lloyd would have done what Harris did? All that was definitive were his coaches and teammates raving about him and if the support had been so good, Lloyd would have been incredible.
With the two at a disadvantage this year, USC could be SMU’s Pony Express without the scandal.
Jordan Burch
Defensive end
Second year
The highest rated member of the autograph class played eight games with 19 tackles, 2½ losses and recovered a fumble. His numbers were less than spectacular, but not bad for a real freshman playing after JJ Enagbare, who tied for the SEC lead in sacks.
Enagbare is coming back, but Gamecocks have a new defensive coordinator and, presumably, a new scheme that can show both.
Dakereon Joyner
Wide receiver
Junior redshirt
Dakereon Joyner scored two touchdowns last year in his first true season on the wide receiver. AP / Mark Humphrey
In his first real season as a receiver (he had to return to the quarterback after three weeks in 2019), Joyner took just seven passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while running twice for 61 yards and another score. The reception body was so bad last year and the defender game so inconsistent that almost no real receiver had a chance to shine (aside from Shi Smith, the right man before the season started).
It’s the same opportunity this year, and the biggest since Smith left. Gamecocks still don’t have any known merchandise in the receiver, so why shouldn’t Joyner finally get what he deserves as an explosive game creator?
“Some growing pains, but that is part of learning the game,” said Joyner. “I’m learning a lot from Shi, everything he does I try to dominate and cheer my way.”
Cam Smith
Cornerback
Second year redshirt
Smith had 16 tackles and two interceptions in eight games and his playing time increased during the second half of the season. It had to be that way, since the Gamecocks had several members of the high school opting out after Will Muschamp was fired.
Many more were transferred after the season. The USC needs someone in defense and Smith, as one of the left’s most experienced players, should benefit.
“Cam had a very good training camp,” said Muschamp. “He played very well.”
Jordan Strachan
External linebacker
Junior redshirt
Strachan drew the national lead with 10½ sacks last year in Georgia and set a school record with 14 tackles per defeat. It is one of the numerous transfers that Beamer found on the portal.
He was listed as an external linebacker in the state of Georgia, so it remains to be seen where he will play at USC, whether he is in the “Buck” pass-rusher position that Enagbare and Burch command or elsewhere.
“He showed great power and presence,” GSU coach (and former USC assistant) Shawn Elliott told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last season. “He knows how to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands.”
Jason Brown
Quarterback
Junior redshirt
Half a packet from St. Francis (Pa.), Brown was released to join USC last week. The Gamecocks’ QB room is very narrow, housing two-game newcomer Luke Doty, Connor Jordan and the real freshman Colten Gauthier, so Brown will not just be a training squad player.
He completed more than 62 percent of his passes last year for 3,084 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions at the FCS level. He ran 46 times for 209 yards (an 84-yard net with bags included) and another score. Expect Brown and Doty to battle for their initial job during spring training.
EJ Jenkins
Wide receiver
Junior redshirt
The other half of the St. Francis package, Jenkins and Brown have been playing together since high school. His statistics (39 receptions, 779 yards, 13 touchdowns) are as impressive as his measurable ones (6 feet-8, 235 pounds).
Even if Brown does not win the starting position, it is difficult for any QB to lose a 6-8 receiver.
“Having these guys on board, for sure, has been great. I think some teams certainly lost the ball when recruiting when these guys left college, ”said Beamer. “You watch their tape, they are SEC football players.”
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.