Why talented tight end group could help unlock the South Carolina offense

South Carolina tight ends coach Jody Wright smirks thinking back a few months.

It’s not so far gone that Wright quite literally could’ve wrapped his arms around his entire position group. Nate Adkins was the lone healthy tight end entering the Gator Bowl against Notre Dame. Jaheim Bell, Austin Stogner and Traveon Kenion had entered the transfer portal. Walk-on Jesse Sanders was sidelined with injury before eventually medically retiring from football.

Now? Things look a little more plentiful.

Adkins is gone, butthe Gamecocks added transfers Trey Knox (Arkansas), Joshua Simon (Western Kentucky) and Nick Elksnis (Florida) over the offseason. Freshmen Connor Cox and Reid Mikeska are both in the fold.

What was once a position on life support feels like it could be the key to unlocking South Carolina’s offense in 2023.

“It’s a whole new room,” Wright told The State. “But I do think the positive is they’re all guys that’ve bought in to what we’re doing whether it’s coach (Luke) Day in the weight room, everything in our building that Coach (Shane) Beamer preaches, our culture, the way we do things and Coach (Dowell) Loggains’ offense. I think they’re all bought in, very mature about handling their business.”

Beamer has joked about the refrains from fans around Columbia and utilizing the tight end position more. Whether he’s actually heeding that unsolicited advice or not, he’s seemingly listened. Bell and Stogner ranked fourth and fifth on the team in receptions in 2022. Bell and Nick Muse were slotted second and third on the squad, respectively, the year before.

That should again — in theory — be the case in 2023.

Knox has received as much offseason praise as any player on the roster. That checks out. The fifth-year senior looks the part of a game-breaker at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds. A four-star receiver prospect in the class of 2018, Knox has the hands to boot — recording 81 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns over 45 games at Arkansas.

In limited viewing periods during the spring, Knox moves more naturally than his massive frame would suggest. He also flashed those aforementioned hands during the spring game, catching a touchdown from quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Simon, too, had a prolific career at WKU before landing back in his home state for his final year of eligibility. The Dalzell native was largely unheralded out of high school, but evolved into one of the best tight ends in Hilltoppers history and one of the more prolific pass-catchers at the position in the Group of Five the last few seasons.

Capping off his time at WKU, Simon was named a second team All-CUSA performer last fall after corralling 20 passes for 273 yards and seven TDs.

“Trey Knox and and Josh Simon are old souls,” Wright said. “They’re really great young men, very mature. The good thing is both have played a lot of football. I think they both are really hard working. They both are very instinctive football players, tough, team-oriented guys that are bought in to everything we’re doing.”

What roles will fall to Elksnis, Mikeska and Cox remain to be seen. Elksnis, the eldest of the three, figures to be in the mix for special teams, added blocking responsibilities and more. Mikeska and Cox are likely to redshirt this year, before helping round out the position heading into the 2024 campaign.

Wherever the youngsters do find themselves, though, shouldn’t distract from a room that may be as deep as any on South Carolina’s roster.

“Nick Elksnis has been part of an SEC program,” Wright said. “Had a couple injuries at Florida, but I think he is very motivated and he’s had a good summer, good spring. Then you’ve got some young guys — Connor Cox and Reid Mikeska. Both had really good summers, changed their bodies and both are very mature for young players.”

After a bowl season that was anything but calm, Wright can breathe easy for now. He’s got bodies. He’s got talent.

If it all coalesces, the Gamecocks tight end room should be right in the center of the offensive equation in 2023.