How freshman O-lineman Markee Anderson is shining in first spring at South Carolina
Freshman offensive lineman Markee Anderson isn’t exactly subtle. Then again, nothing’s ever really subtle when you’re 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds.
Anderson gave Gamecocks fans a laugh when he announced his commitment to South Carolina via different logoed bottles of syrup and a plate of pancakes. He’s since, too, earned the praise of coaches and teammates, despite having only been on campus for three months.
“(He) should still be in high school getting ready for prom and instead you’re out here blocking (Alex) ‘Boogie’ Huntley and guys that are four or five years older than you and have been in a weight program for four or five years,” head coach Shane Beamer said. “It’s hard, but he is not lost by any stretch of the imagination and shown intelligence and toughness at the position.”
Anderson was the second-highest rated recruit in South Carolina’s 2023 class behind only defensive end Desmond Umeozulu, who’s also drawn rave reviews in his short time at South Carolina.
Anderson, the former Dorman standout, was among the first big gets for a Gamecocks staff that has pieced together parts of two of the more impressive offensive line classes in the program’s recent memory. Anderson was one of two four-star offensive line pledges in the 2023 class, along with Oluwatosin “Tree” Babalade. That pair was joined, too, by high-upside blockers Trovon Baugh and Jatavius Shivers.
South Carolina is also on track to bring in 2024 linemen Kam Pringle (No. 47 overall player), who’s already committed, and targets Josiah Thompson (No. 60 player) and Blake Franks (No. 496 player). Franks is slated to announce a decision between South Carolina and Clemson on Friday.
“I think it always starts with Coach Beamer, because he’s so approachable,” new offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley said as to why the Gamecocks have pieced together such high-profile offensive line classes. “He’ll sit and talk with anyone. You go some places and you’re kissing the ring, whereas you come here, Coach Beamer, he’s talking to you. When Coach Beamer is like that, it trickles down to everybody.”
“We just try to build relationships,” Teasley continued. “That’s getting to know them, getting to know what makes them tick, getting to know their family, getting to know mom and dad, sisters. Whoever we can get to know, whoever is close to them, we want to know about them, get to know them and build real relationships.”
That Anderson has been able to impact the day-to-day practices at South Carolina this early in his career is unusual at-best. Where offensive skill position players and defensive backs — even linebackers — can step in and make an impact quickly, linemen usually take time to develop physically.
Teasley, who took over for Greg Adkins on an interim basis before landing the permanent role in January, lauded Anderson’s ability to process the playbook quickly. That’s allowed him to use his already impressive size and athleticism to make plays without having to think too much.
“He’s one of those guys, when you teach him something, he’s got it,” Teasley said. “He can recall information back that I told him when he first got here. (I ask him), ‘Hey Markee, you remember I taught you that?’ and he’s got it. Just a smart dude. And he’s hungry. He wants to be really good. Physically, he’s heavy-handed. He’s an SEC lineman, but the first thing that stood out — how smart he was.”
In a perfect world, South Carolina won’t have to count on Anderson in 2023. South Carolina’s offensive line isn’t so much in rebuild mode as it’s being retooled. The Gamecocks lose starters Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn and Dylan Wonnum — who appeared in 42 games over his college career.
The replacements, though, aren’t lacking for experience. Teasley said the main six in his rotation right now have included Jakai Moore, Tyshawn Wannamaker, Trai Jones, Vershon Lee, Jaylen Nichols and Nick Gargiulo. Moore, Wannamaker, Jones and Lee have an average of 28 appearances between them. Gargiulo, an offseason transfer from Yale, also played in 25 games for the Bulldogs and could play all five offensive line positions, if needed.
Given that experience, it’s unlikely Anderson becomes a full-time fixture in the rotation before the 2024 season. But the flashes — that and the excitement surrounding the Gamecocks’ 2023 and 2024 offensive line classes — should offer optimism about the direction of Beamer’s squad in the trenches.
Don’t be surprised if Anderson is part of the young crew serving up pancakes at Williams-Brice Stadium soon.
