Three Players From Gator Bowl Who Could Help South Carolina In 2023

South Carolina's Football program could see multiple contributors from their Gator Bowl loss to Notre Dame take a step forward in 2023.

South Carolina is less than six weeks away from kicking off the 2023 season, one that either way is sure to be an interesting ride for Gamecock fans everywhere. While Spencer Rattler, Juice Wells, and some other notable players return from last year's eight-win campaign, others must step into new roles to help the Gamecocks avoid a drop-off at specific spots. 

Some of those new faces could very well be guys who played for South Carolina in the Gator Bowl this past December, but the question is, who?

Xavier Legette

Let's start with a guy who had one of his best performances and one of the best highlight plays of the Gator Bowl in Xavier Legette. Legette recorded a season-high stat line of seven receptions, 78 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns, leading the team in each category except for receiving yards.

Everyone that's watched Xavier over his college career knows he has potential, but consistency is something that's escaped the South Carolina native. With Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks both moving onto the NFL, this'll be Legette's best chance yet to make a significant impact for this offense.

Jakai Moore

This choice is obvious but for reasons different than Legette's. South Carolina is preparing to go through most of the 2023 season without Jaylen Nichols on the offensive line, leaving a massive hole to fill at left tackle.

Jakai is the best candidate to take that spot and played exceptionally well to end this past season, only giving up one quarterback hurry in three starts at left guard, according to Pro Football Focus. If Moore can carry over his outstanding play from the end of the 2022 season to 2023, he could be a player that exceeds expectations.

O'Donnell Fortune

If anyone took full advantage of the opportunity presented to them in the Gator Bowl last December, it was O'Donnell Fortune. Playing in place of Darius Rush, Fortune had his best game of the season against Notre Dame, grading out at an astonishing 90.9 per PFF and only being targeted twice in the 80 snaps he played.

Fortune has waited a long time to make his mark in his secondary, and with this group's talent and experience, plus Torrian Gray's coaching, O'Donnell could be someone that thrives on the Gamecocks' defense this Fall.

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