Freshman Impact: Analyzing South Carolina Football's New Talent

South Carolina is currently on a bye week after five games. Let's discuss which freshmen will redshirt and who has played over four games.

The Gamecocks have completed five games this season leading up to the bye week, showcasing an impressive group of freshmen. In this article, we'll dive into their performance evaluations, grading, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) ratings.

In a recent showdown against the formidable #1 Georgia team, South Carolina fielded 11 freshmen, demonstrating their reliance on young talent this year. Notable players among this group include safety Jalon Kilgore, who currently ranks 4th in the SEC in total tackles with an impressive tally of 42 tackles, showcasing All-American potential.

Over the past three weeks, South Carolina has was forced to start Tree Babalade at left tackle, a move that has paid off significantly so far as evidenced by PFF recognizing Babalade as the best offensive lineman in the Georgia game. Additionally, he earned 247 Sports' Freshman of the Week award that same week.

Furthermore, Trovon Baugh, who plays at right guard, has exhibited substantial promise, stirring excitement and optimism among fans for the future of the offensive line. Let's delve into the statistics to gauge the influence these freshmen have had on the Gamecocks this season.

QB LaNorris Sellers (Four dropback passes | One game)

Offensive Grade: 95.2

Passing: 95.2

WR Tyshawn Russell (Four targets | Three receptions | Three Games Played)

Offensive Grade: 68.5

Receiving: 68

WR Nyckoles Harbor (One Target | One Reception | Five Games Played)

Offensive Grade: 53.3

Receiving: 54.9

OT Tree Babalade (Four Games | Three Starts)

Offensive Grade: 45.2

Run-Blocking: 50.2

Pass-Blocking: 51.7 (Three games with grade of 69 or higher)

OL Trovon Baugh (Four Games | One Start)

Offensive Grade: 51.7

Run-Blocking: 48.7

Pass-Blocking: 61.3

DB Jalon Kilgore (Five Games | Four Starts)

Defensive Grade: 74.5

Rush Defense: 82

Tackling: 87.9

Pass-Rush: 53.7

Coverage: 70.2

LB Grayson Pup Howard (Four Games | Zero Starts)

Defensive Grade: 74.2

Rush Defense: 81

Tackling: 84.6

Pass-Rush: 56.5

Coverage: 66.4

DB Judge Collier (Five Games | Zero Starts)

Defensive Grade: 64.2

Rush Defense: 63.1

Tackling: 80.9

Pass-Rush: 57.2

Coverage: 64.3

DT Xzavier McLeod (Three Games | Zero Starts)

Defensive Grade: 59.9

Rush Defense: 55.2

Tackling: 72.4

Pass-Rush: 56.3

Coverage: 60.9

EDGE Desmond Umeozulu (Five Games | Zero Starts)

Defensive Grade: 58.9

Rush Defense: 67.7

Tackling: 42.6

Pass-Rush: 56.2

Coverage: 49.6

Redshirt Burned

Desmond Umeozulu

Judge Collier

Jalon Kilgore

Nyckoles Harbor

Redshirt still in play

Xzavier McLeod

Zahbari Sandy

Vicari Swain

Grayson "Pup" Howard

Jatavius Shivers

Trovon Baugh

Tree Babalade

Tyshawn Russell

Dontavious Braswell

LaNorris Sellers

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