While you read today’s newsletter, we recommend playing this song in the background to enhance your reading experience. Side effects include goosebumps and possible tears.
Welcome back to Williams-Brice Stadium Gamecock fans — well almost. Tomorrow is the Garnet and Black Spring Game where Gamecock nation will gather under a Carolina sky at 7 p.m. (for free) to give fans + coaches a sneak peek of the upcoming season.
You’re in for a treat because there’s a pregame concert by Patrick Davis in the Gamecock Park amphitheater from 5-6:30 p.m. and a firework show to follow the first-ever nighttime Spring Game. So, before we kick off a Saturday in South Carolina, we’re here to tell you which players to look out for + what we might expect this upcoming season.
3 players to watch:
1️⃣ Jaheim Bell — returning player
- Position: Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said he will be playing as a “wide back” this season.
- Year: Junior
- Why it matters: Jaheim had a breakout bowl game last season and is being compared to former Gamecock star, Deebo Samuel .
Note, Jaheim is currently injured , but is expected to be back before the summer.
2️⃣ Spencer Rattler — transfer
- Position: Quarterback
- Year: Redshirt Junior
- Why it matters: Spencer is a five-star recruit and was a Heisman Trophy candidate going into his 2021 season with Oklahoma.
3️⃣ Josh Vann — returning player
- Position: Wide receiver
- Year: Fifth Year
- Why it matters: He received the Steve Spurrier Award as the team’s offensive MVP , and was the top receiver last season .
See the full 2022 season roster here .
Expectations for the season
We’re bringing home the Natty. Hey, us Gamecock fans can dream. But, truthfully, this season seems to have the most optimism + anticipation for a turn of the tides than previous years, and we aren’t the only ones who feel that way .
This will be Coach Shane Beamer’s second season as head coach for the Gamecocks, ending last season with a 7-6 record. Going into the 2022 season, the Gamecocks have the No. 3 ranked incoming transfer class in the SEC , so we’ll see what we do with all the incoming talent.
All in all, as Gamecock fans, we’ll be in the stands no matter what — that’s just who we are. We really just want to see a win over the Tigers and are hopeful this may be our season. We mean it this time.