5 Gamecock football newcomers with best chance to make good first impression in spring
South Carolina begins its second week of spring football practices this week. Here’s a look at five of the Gamecocks who are new to the roster with a great chance to impress as they start their time at USC.
Dylan Stewart, DE
The five-star freshman was a top-20 national recruit and joins a position that is extremely short on proven talent. Young linemen often don’t make a difference early, but the special ones sometimes do. If Stewart starts tormenting veteran offensive linemen this spring, folks will take notice.
Bangally Kamara, LB
The Pitt transfer hasn’t received a ton of pub, but he’s a Power Five-proven starting linebacker whose previous coach is known as one of the more serious defensive minds in the sport. He’s been a solid pass rusher and at times decently disruptive in coverage. He might not start as a first-team guy, but he’ll have a good chance to climb toward that role.
Jared Brown, WR
The Coastal Carolina transfer was pretty productive in both Jamey Chadwell’s spread option attack and Tim Beck’s scheme last season (789 and 740 yards). He’s not the biggest at 6-foot tall, but he’s fast and seasoned. The Gamecocks need someone to step up at receiver, and he’s likely the top name to watch there.
Jawarn Howell, RB
For the moment, fellow transfer Rocket Sanders is shelved with an injury, so Howell will be competing with North Texas transfer Oscar Adaway III to be a spring backfield standout. Howell is solidly built at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, and posted 809 yards in nine games at S.C. State. Early reports out of workouts highlighted Howell, and he could be a key piece of a new-look run game come fall.
Torricelli Simpkins III, OL
The North Carolina Central transfer isn’t lacking for experience. He’s a three-year starter at the FCS level and was a multiple-time first-team all-conference honoree. He’s also got some bulk at 320 pounds, which should be good if he ends up at center in Columbia. The Gamecocks need to get their line in order after multiple seasons of instability. At the moment he seems like someone poised to help in that department.
