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Tennessee football vs. South Carolina: Five key Gamecocks to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back David Spaulding (29) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Darius Rush (28) celebrate an interception for a touchdown by Spaulding against the Troy Trojans in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back David Spaulding (29) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Darius Rush (28) celebrate an interception for a touchdown by Spaulding against the Troy Trojans in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 17, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Josh Vann (6) runs after the catch against the Chattanooga Mocs in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Josh Vann (6) runs after the catch against the Chattanooga Mocs in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

Given the fact that the South Carolina Gamecocks aren’t the most statistically impressive group as a team, you would think they don’t have a lot of standout talent. However, that’s actually all they have, and their stars stand out in a big way. As a result, Tennessee football will have to keep its hands full with lots of elite players on Saturday.

South Carolina’s dominance comes almost all one one side of the ball. The defense, which has been a strength for Shane Beamer’s first team, is loaded with players able to rack up stats and generate big plays. They can make any game close with what they do.

Josh Heupel’s offense appeared to hit its stride last week against the Missouri Tigers, but he’s got to be ready for all of those playmakers if he’s going to keep it up. Let’s take a look at who can be the biggest weapons in this matchup. These are the five key Gamecocks players to watch for against Tennessee football on Saturday.

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Senior. 5. player. 850. Wide receiver. Josh Vann

5’11” 190 pounds; Hometown: Tucker, Ga.

Spoiler alert: Everybody else on here plays defe. However, we had to name one offensive guy, and there were a few candidates. Luke Doty is settling in at quarterback. Zaquandre White is an elite leading rusher, averaging over seven and a half yards a carry. Juju McDowell, Dakereon Joyner and Jalen Brooks all double as offensive weapons and return specialists.

We settled on the most productive offensive player, though, Josh Vann. For the year, Vann leads the team in yards from scrimmage with 394, including three carries for 62 yards and 16 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns.

Like seemingly everybody else on the team, Vann has lost a fumble, but he’s still an elite target. Tennessee football has gotten much better in the secondary in recent weeks, and the key for them to make sure South Carolina isn’t any threat is for them to shut him down. This will probably be Alontae Taylor’s job, so he needs to get ready.

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