The South Carolina Gamecocks have a top 25 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle with playmakers on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball joining the roster. Beamer has done a good job of plugging holes on the team, but freshmen will likely still be called upon to step up at various positions. With that being the case, which freshman will have the biggest impact for the Gamecocks’ offense in 2024?

I think the easy answer here is LaNorris Sellers, who will be a redshirt freshman. I have no doubts that he will have a huge impact on this offense due to both his skillset as well as the nature of the position he plays. That said, I want to think outside the box a little bit and go with a different player.

One of the biggest (if not the biggest), disappointments last season was the offensive line. The deficiencies and limitations were glaring from the first game of the season and never really seemed to get fixed at any point. In total, South Carolina surrendered 41 sacks in 2023.  Some of this was due to many unfortunate injuries sustained throughout the season, but there is no doubt that a lack of (quality) depth and talent was a huge reason for the struggles along the line. Key players return such as Big Tree and Trovon Baugh, but I think a player that has a chance to turn the offensive line into a real threat and strength of this team is incoming freshman, Josiah Thompson.

Standing at 6’7” and 300 pounds, Thompson is ranked as the 37th best player nationally, the #1 player in the state of SC, and the 2nd ranked OT in the nation. Thompson is an elite player at his position and possesses a skillset that has been greatly missed along South Carolina’s offensive line. 

Tree Babalade started at left tackle for the Gamecocks last season for the majority of the season and did a serviceable job. I think he may be better suited for an offensive guard or right tackle position. However, he may start at left tackle to start the season until Thompson is ready to take over the position, similar to what we witnessed last season with Babalade. 

A major factor in how successful South Carolina’s season turns out to be is the production along the offensive line. If the line can establish continuity sooner rather than later and stay healthy, I expect the running attack to flourish which will take pressure off of Sellers and the rest of the passing game. This is essential against a stout schedule full of aggressive defenses.

I think the offensive line for the Gamecocks will be a little bit of an experiment to start the season and will see different combinations until the right one is found. Thompson may not be an immediate factor, but I think if he’s given the opportunity, he will not disappoint and will solidify a position of need for the Gamecocks.

As a side note, I think Mazeo Bennett could possibly have a huge impact at WR for the Gamecocks. Receiver is another position of need, but I think South Carolina has added a lot of pieces to this group which may make it crowded for a freshman to find significant playing time. Bennett has everything you want in a receiver, however, including speed and agility which is something USC desperately needs.