Gamecocks’ Citrus Bowl Chances in JEOPARDY? Depth Chart Raises Concerns!

LIVE UPDATE FROM ORLANDO: South Carolina’s pre-bowl depth chart is out, and it highlights key adjustments for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl clash against Illinois on Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. (ABC) at Camping World Stadium.

At tailback, it’s a battle between Juju McDowell and Oscar Adaway III to take over for Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 19. Though Sanders did not explicitly state he wouldn’t play in the bowl game, his absence from the depth chart confirms his departure. Sanders capped off his senior season with 183 carries for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 316 receiving yards and two additional scores.

Adaway, the team’s second-leading rusher, recorded 63 carries for 226 yards this season, while McDowell contributed 87 rushing yards on 21 attempts. The decision on the starter remains to be seen.

The Gamecocks will also be without defensive star Kyle Kennard, who is preparing for the NFL Draft. Kennard, the Bronco Nagurski Award winner, led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss this season. His absence leaves a significant hole on the edge. The depth chart lists Bryan Thomas Jr., Gilber Edmond, and Desmond Umeozulu as potential starters in his place.

On offense, LaNorris Sellers is set to start at quarterback, backed up by Robby Ashford. At tight end, Joshua Simon leads the position group, with Brady Hunt, recovering from injury, listed as a backup. Meanwhile, Illinois will be without their star receiver Pat Bryant, who tallied 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns before opting out earlier this month, as announced by Coach Bret Bielema.

Here’s a quick breakdown of South Carolina’s updated depth chart:

OFFENSE

  • QB: LaNorris Sellers (Robby Ashford)
  • RB: Juju McDowell —OR— Oscar Adaway III
  • TE: Joshua Simon (Brady Hunt)
  • WR: Nyck Harbor —OR— Jared Brown —OR— Dalevon Campbell
  • WR: Mazeo Bennett Jr. —OR— Payton Mangrum —OR— Luke Doty
  • WR: Gage Larvadain —OR— Vandrevius Jacobs
  • LT: Josiah Thompson (Tree Babalade)
  • LG: Kamaar Bell (Markee Anderson)
  • RG: Torricelli Simpkins III —OR— Trovon Baugh
  • RT: Cason Henry (Jatavius Shivers)
  • OC: Vershon Lee (Ryan Brubaker)

DEFENSE

  • Edge: Bryan Thomas Jr. —OR— Gilber Edmond —OR— Desmond Umeozulu
  • DT: Tonka Hemingway —OR— T.J. Sanders (Monkell Goodwine)
  • MLB: Demetrius Knight Jr. (Fred “JayR” Johnson)
  • WLB: Debo Williams (Bam Martin-Scott)
  • CB: O’Donnell Fortune (Emory Floyd —OR— David Spaulding)
  • SS: DQ Smith (Peyton Williams)

SPECIAL TEAMS

  • PK: Alex Herrera (Mason Love, William Joyce)
  • P: Kai Kroeger (Mason Love)
  • KOR: Juju McDowell (Nyck Harbor)
  • PR: Juju McDowell (Gage Larvadain)

The Gamecocks will face a tough Illinois squad, but adjustments like these will shape their strategy for success in Orlando. Stay tuned for more updates!

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