Gamecocks QB legend appears, offense comes into focus during South Carolina practice

South Carolina spring football is off and running.

The Gamecocks held their fifth practice of the spring on Thursday. The first six periods of the session were open to reporters for viewing. Here’s a look at the day’s news and notes:

• Legendary South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw was in attendance for practice. Shaw previously worked on USC’s staff for Will Muschamp and Shane Beamer in off-field roles. The ex-signal-caller took a job in the private sector after the 2021 season.

• South Carolina had a change along its offensive line during Thursday’s practice. Vershon Lee ran at center, while Yale transfer Nick Gargiulo worked at left guard. During the first open practice on March 15, Jakai Moore lined up at left guard with the first team.

• The rest of the first-team offense included quarterback Spencer Rattler, running back Juju McDowell, tight end Josh Simon, receivers Antwane “Juice” Wells, Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown. The offensive line was comprised of left tackle Jaylen Nichols, right guard Trai Jones, right tackle Tyshawn Wannamaker, Lee and Gargiulo.

• South Carolina’s first-team defense on Thursday was made up of defensive ends Bryan Thomas Jr. and Tyreek Johnson, defensive tackles Alex “Boogie” Huntley and T.J. Sanders and linebackers Debo Williams and Stone Blanton. The secondary included cornerbacks O’Donnell Fortune and Marcellas Dial, safeties DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori and nickel Kajuan Banks.

• South Carolina’s second-team offense was spearheaded by Luke Doty at quarterback and Newberry transfer Mario Anderson at running back. The second-team offensive line included: left tackle Sidney Fugar, left guard Markee Anderson, center Ryan Brubaker, right guard JonDarius Morgan and right tackle Grayson Mains. The Gamecocks also trotted out tight end Nick Elksnis, receivers Eddie Lewis, O’Mega Blake and Payton Mangrum.

• South Carolina went through three third-down plays during the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters. Rattler scrambled for a first down on a simulated third-and-4. Rattler then narrowly missed Wells on a route up the sideline on a third-and-5, but Banks was flagged for pass interference. Doty also hit Lewis for a conversion on a simulated third-and-7 when the second team offense took the field.

• Brown and freshman defensive back Jalon Kilgore practiced returning punts briefly. Mario Anderson returned kickoffs along with Legette and McDowell.

• Running back Dante Miller was at practice on Thursday as South Carolina continues to await word on his eligibility for this season. The Gamecocks have petitioned to get an extra year for the former Columbia running back, but Beamer said USC is still waiting on official word as to whether Miller can go this year.

• Gamecocks commits quarterback Dante Reno and receiver Mazeo Bennett were both at practice on Thursday. Reno is rated the No. 18 QB and No. 306 player in the 2024 class, per the 247 Sports Composite. Bennett is ranked the 197 player and No. 31 receiver in the 2024 class.

• Members of the Myrtle Beach High School staff, including head coach Mickey Wilson, attended practice on Thursday. Wilson coached Doty during his prep career.