‘Every opportunity is a blessing.’ USC’s Dakereon Joyner embraces position switch

It’s been a time of adjustment for Dakereon Joyner on and off the field as he prepares for his final season at South Carolina.

Off the field, Joyner became a father: Kahlani Noelle Joyner was born Feb. 28. Joyner, speaking Monday with reporters, talked about lack of sleep and first-time parenting mistakes, including forgetting to put a diaper on his daughter for her first doctor’s appointment.

”I told myself I’d take (that) one to the grave,” Joyner said with a laugh the spring practice press conference. “It is an exciting , especially the last 10 weeks. I’m grateful to be here. I came back for a reason. I want to be here. It has been everything I wished for.”

On the field, Joyner is embracing the prospect of playing his third position for the Gamecocks since he arrived on campus in January 2018. The former Fort Dorchester High standout was spotted at running back last week as USC opened up spring practice.

Joyner said coach Shane Beamer approached him about the move to running back with the Gamecocks’ lack of depth there. JuJu McDowell is the only returning player at the position. Newberry College transfer Mario Anderson is expected to compete at the position to go along with incoming freshman Dontavius Braswell.

Joyner didn’t think twice about the opportunity, a trait he has been to a part of his career with the Gamecocks. The former South Carolina Mr. Football has played quarterback, receiver and now running back during his tenure with the Gamecocks.

“I learned that I could do whatever I put my mind to,” he said. “I have been challenged a bunch of different ways and can overcome adversity in all aspects, on and off the field. I’m a team-first guy and that is going to take a lot of places in life. ... I have adjusted pretty well and feel pretty natural about it.”

Beamer talked about the move last week, saying that Joyner at running back could be another wrinkle in the offense that teams have to worry about. Joyner said he could always go back to receiver at any point.

Moving to running back feels a lot like his redshirt freshman year at USC when he was moved to play at receiver, Joyner said. He has a little bit of history at running back, playing some his freshman year of high school at Fort Dorchester.

McDowell, who Joyner will battle with for playing time at running back, has been impressed with what he’s seen from the sixth-year senior so far, especially just his willingness to adjust to every change thrown his way during his time at USC.

“Yeah, I know everyone is looking on the outside as controversial moving him to running back after being moved to receiver and after quarterback,” McDowell said Monday. “He is embracing his role to the fullest potential and taking advantage of every opportunity.”

Joyner has shown the ability to make big plays wherever he has lined up. He racked up 224 all-purpose yards and was named the MVP of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at the end of the 2021 season.

Last year, Joyner became the first Gamecock since Deebo Samuel in 2016 to rush for, pass for and catch a touchdown pass in a single season.

Joyner also was used as a wildcat quarterback down the stretch last fall. He had at least one carry in each of South Carolina’s final five games. Joyner also lined up and took QB snaps at least three times in each of those games, according to Pro Football Focus.

Joyner said he’s been studying film of New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara and University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson to get ready for his new position.

“Every opportunity is a blessing, and when God brought this running back thing to me, I look at it as a blessing. It is going to be a way to continue to expand my game,” Joyner said. “... I’m a ball player and will try to do whatever I can when I can.”