Gamecock Digest

Thompson named as an impact true freshman by PFF

Isaiah Collins

South Carolina defensive back Tyler Jones of Dutch Fork High, SC offensive MVP, passes near the blocking by South Carolina offensive lineman Josiah Thompson of Dillon High, USC Gamecocks commit, and North Carolina defensive lineman Mason Brooks of Salisbury High during the second quarter of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas football game at Viking Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
South Carolina defensive back Tyler Jones of Dutch Fork High, SC offensive MVP, passes near the blocking by South Carolina offensive lineman Josiah Thompson of Dillon High, USC Gamecocks commit, and North Carolina defensive lineman Mason Brooks of Salisbury High during the second quarter of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas football game at Viking Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C. / Ken Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

As the 2024 season approaches South Carolina freshman offensive lineman Josiah Thompson was named as a true freshman to watch for in the 2024 season by PFF analyst Max Chadwick on a recent edition of the PFF College Football Show. 

Thompson has been in a position battle for the starting left tackle role this summer, and is believed by some to be the probable starter.  Chadwick commented saying he believes Thompson will be an impact player year one for a Gamecock offensive line that was amongst the worst in the country in 2023. 

“You look at what they had last year, the fourth lowest graded offensive line in the power five, you have a new quarterback in LaNorris Sellers who you want to protect. I think Josiah Thompson immediately is going to be an impact player for the Gamecocks,” Chadwick said.  

Thompson’s standout physical traits that made him a top-40 recruit are the same reason Chadwick. 

“He has excellent size, really good length as well. 6’7, only 300 lbs., so he still has time to fill out his frame. Moves very well for the position, very flexible, plays with good pad level even though he’s really tall,” Chadwick said. 

In 2023 the Gamecocks’s rushing attack was last in the SEC and ranked 129th of 133 FBS teams, running for 85.1 yards per game on the ground. PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman believes that Thompson will help South Carolina in establishing their presence in the run game. 

“That’s another team that’s going to build their offense around the run game and around Sellers,” Wasserman said. “They're going to base it off the run game, and Sellers, Rocket Sanders and Thompson’s going to be a big part of that.”

Chadwick added on that while Thompson might struggle in the passing game initially his upside still got plenty of talent to grow in the future. 

“It’s still going to take some time to develop as a pass blocker and he’s got to add strength, but he’s got a lot of upside,” Chadwick said. 

 

South Carolina’s season opener against Old Dominion on Saturday August 31 will be Thompson’s first test to see if he is ready as a true freshman. 

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Isaiah Collins
ISAIAH COLLINS

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