How Rattler and Gamecocks newcomers are settling in ahead of spring football practice
March 01, 2022
The new additions to the 2022 South Carolina football roster are adjusting well to the Gamecocks’ system in Columbia. Beamer said in a press conference Monday the Gamecocks’ newest faces including Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler have bought in and worked hard in their first few weeks with the team. “I’m excited about the new additions to the program,” Beamer said. “When they come in, they don’t look lost. They stand out when they go out there. We’ve got some guys that are new arrivals that love to compete and have done a great job of coming right in, jumping into what we’re doing and doing a great job of it.”
Beamer noted the situation for this year’s additions from the transfer portal is different than his first season with South Carolina, mainly because of the name recognition that comes along with the 2022 group. He mentioned that Rattler, former N.C. State defensive lineman Terrell Dawkins and former Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith have names more likely to ring a bell with fans than last year’s transfers.
Beamer said it’s unlikely fans knew quarterback Jason Brown from FCS St. Francis (Pennsylvania) or Carlins Platel from Division II Assumption College as well as they know this year’s additions from the Big 12 and ACC. “It’s a unique situation,” Beamer said. “Last year, the guys that we brought into this program weren’t maybe as recognizable as this year. It’s a little bit different of a situation for them this year because of where they’re coming from,” Beamer mentioned the group came in with accolades from their previous schools, like Rattler’s freshman campaign at Oklahoma when he completed 214 of 317 passes for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2020, and Beal-Smith’s past two seasons as Wake Forest’s leading rusher. Beamer also made note of Dawkins’ performance at N.C. State, wide receiver Antwane Wells’ record-breaking season at James Madison, and safety Devonni Reed’s two interceptions at Central Michigan. “You established some credibility before you came in here,” Beamer said. “And they’re great young men. We don’t just start signing guys to sign guys. We’re very deliberate to make sure they’re the right fit for this program as well, and they have been.”
Beamer’s 2022 transfer class was ranked No. 7 in the nation, according to 247Sports. Most of the transfer portal additions have made it to South Carolina’s campus, with the exception of former Sooners tight end Austin Stogner. Stogner is expected to join the Gamecocks after the spring as he finishes coursework at Oklahoma. For the players who have joined the Gamecocksthis spring, Beamer has been impressed by how quickly they’ve become immersed in the program. “They’ve done great,” Beamer said. “(They) don’t look like new guys.” Beamer’s Gamecocks start spring practice on March 15, with the Garnet and Black spring game scheduled for April 16 at 7 p.m. in Williams-Brice Stadium. The annual spring game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.
March 01, 2022
The new additions to the 2022 South Carolina football roster are adjusting well to the Gamecocks’ system in Columbia. Beamer said in a press conference Monday the Gamecocks’ newest faces including Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler have bought in and worked hard in their first few weeks with the team. “I’m excited about the new additions to the program,” Beamer said. “When they come in, they don’t look lost. They stand out when they go out there. We’ve got some guys that are new arrivals that love to compete and have done a great job of coming right in, jumping into what we’re doing and doing a great job of it.”
Beamer noted the situation for this year’s additions from the transfer portal is different than his first season with South Carolina, mainly because of the name recognition that comes along with the 2022 group. He mentioned that Rattler, former N.C. State defensive lineman Terrell Dawkins and former Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith have names more likely to ring a bell with fans than last year’s transfers.
Beamer said it’s unlikely fans knew quarterback Jason Brown from FCS St. Francis (Pennsylvania) or Carlins Platel from Division II Assumption College as well as they know this year’s additions from the Big 12 and ACC. “It’s a unique situation,” Beamer said. “Last year, the guys that we brought into this program weren’t maybe as recognizable as this year. It’s a little bit different of a situation for them this year because of where they’re coming from,” Beamer mentioned the group came in with accolades from their previous schools, like Rattler’s freshman campaign at Oklahoma when he completed 214 of 317 passes for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2020, and Beal-Smith’s past two seasons as Wake Forest’s leading rusher. Beamer also made note of Dawkins’ performance at N.C. State, wide receiver Antwane Wells’ record-breaking season at James Madison, and safety Devonni Reed’s two interceptions at Central Michigan. “You established some credibility before you came in here,” Beamer said. “And they’re great young men. We don’t just start signing guys to sign guys. We’re very deliberate to make sure they’re the right fit for this program as well, and they have been.”
Beamer’s 2022 transfer class was ranked No. 7 in the nation, according to 247Sports. Most of the transfer portal additions have made it to South Carolina’s campus, with the exception of former Sooners tight end Austin Stogner. Stogner is expected to join the Gamecocks after the spring as he finishes coursework at Oklahoma. For the players who have joined the Gamecocksthis spring, Beamer has been impressed by how quickly they’ve become immersed in the program. “They’ve done great,” Beamer said. “(They) don’t look like new guys.” Beamer’s Gamecocks start spring practice on March 15, with the Garnet and Black spring game scheduled for April 16 at 7 p.m. in Williams-Brice Stadium. The annual spring game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.
