The South Carolina opener against Kent State was the kind of game that let the Gamecocks show off just how much depth they have this season. Despite a 100-plus-degree heat index, South Carolina shut out Kent State 57-0. By the half, the game was well in hand for the Gamecocks, and South Carolina was able to rotate plenty of players on both sides of the ball, including several young contributors looking to carve out bigger roles. While this one game against a non-conference opponent does not lock anyone into a spot for the rest of the season, the snap count offered a glimpse of what several position groups could look like moving forward.
Quarterback rotation starts as expected
QB1 LaNorris Sellers handled the first-team duties and looked sharp while doing it, completing 19 of 23 passes
for 270 yards and three touchdowns in 43 snaps. Cutter Woods followed with 22 snaps and added a touchdown of his own.
Bowling Green transfer Lucian Anderson III was the third quarterback to enter the game, while freshman Landon Duckworth took the final snap in victory formation as the final quarter was cut short due to the unbearable heat.
- LaNorris Sellers: 43 snaps
- Cutter Woods: 22 snaps
- Lucian Anderson III: eight snaps
- Landon Duckworth: one snap
Running backs make their case
The backfield in Columbia might just be one of the most competitive areas on the roster. Matt Fuller led the group with 24 snaps, finishing with 74 rushing yards and a touchdown. Christian Clark, a transfer from Texas, was also part of the early rotation with 29 yards on five carries in 15 snaps.
One of the biggest statements, however, may have come from Penn State transfer Jabree Coleman. He only had four carries, but turned them into 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard score. That sort of production is exactly what can earn a player more opportunities quickly.
- Matt Fuller: 24 snaps
- Christian Clark: 15 snaps
- Jawarn Howell: 14 snaps
- Isaiah Agustave: 12 snaps
- Jabree Coleman: 10 snaps
- Neil Salvage III: one snap
Fuller with the first TD of the season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NVXoI3VcSv
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) September 5, 2026
New faces contribute at wide receiver
South Carolina spread the ball around at the receiver position, with 11 wideouts taking snaps. Nyck Harbor led the group in playing time with 32 snaps, while Mazeo Bennett (29 snaps), DJ Black (24), Lex Cyrus (22), and Malik Clark (22) were all heavily involved on the field.
Several younger receivers had their moments, too. Sequel Patterson saw 20 snaps in his college debut, while Stone Furrey caught two passes for 24 yards, and Purdue transfer Nitro Tuggle adding on a five-yard reception.
- Nyck Harbor: 32 snaps
- Mazeo Bennett: 29 snaps
- DJ Black: 24 snaps
- Lex Cyrus: 22 snaps
- Malik Clark: 22 snaps
- Sequel Patterson: 20 snaps
- Nitro Tuggle: 17 snaps
- Donovan Murph: 13 snaps
- Jordon GIdron: nine snaps
- Charly Mullaly: nine snaps
- Stone Furrey: eight snaps
🤧 @donovan_murph pic.twitter.com/MIxBvBh8fM
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) September 5, 2026
Offensive line shows early promise
The O-line was another promising part of the performance on Saturday afternoon for the Gamecocks. South Carolina ran for 278 yards, allowing only one sack and keeping penalties to a minimum.
Nolan Hay led the unit with 50 snaps, while transfers Emmanuel Kojo Poku (44) and Carter Miller (43) were regulars in the first group. Freshman Darius Gray played 43 snaps, grading especially well in pass protection, giving the Gamecocks another reason to feel good about the future up front.
- Nolan Hay: 50 snaps
- Emmanuel Kojo Poku: 44 snaps
- Darius Gray: 43 snaps
- Carter Miller: 43 snaps
- Shed Sarratt: 38 snaps
- Dayne Arnett: 33 snaps
- Hank Purvis: 32 snaps
- Ebubedike Nnabugwu: 30 snaps
- Seth Smith: 26 snaps
- Markee Anderson: 11 snaps
- Armanda Nieves: eight snaps
- Zyon Guiles: five snaps
- Anthony Baxter: four snaps
- Neff Giwa: one snap
- Ashton Mozone: one snap
- Vincent Chen: one snap
Defense gets a look at its depth
On the defense, Illinois transfer Tomiwa Durojaiye led the defensive line with 27 snaps and three tackles. Kelby Collins also saw significant action with 20 snaps, while freshmen Noah Clark (10) and Aiden Harris (5) made their first appearances.
- Tomiwa Durojaiye: 27 snaps
- Kelby Collins: 20 snaps
- Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy: 14 snaps
- Troy Pikes: 13 snaps
- Noah Clark: 10 snaps
- Aiden Harris: five snaps
- Jordan Thomas: three snaps
- Christian Ingram: two snaps
With Dylan Stewart unavailable for Game 1 with a back injury, the edge rotation was worth watching. Anthony Addison and Tennessee transfer Caleb Herring each played 22 snaps, while freshman Julian Walker was right behind them with 21 and was a standout, considering this was his first college game.
- Anthony Addison: 22 snaps
- Caleb Herring: 22 snaps
- Julian Walker: 21 snaps
- Drew Collins: 12 snaps
- Kobby Sakyi-Prah: seven snaps
- Jaquavious Dodd: seven snaps
- Caleb Williams: four snaps
- George Wilson: four snaps
Linebackers Fred “JayR” Johnson, Justin Okoronkwo, and Shawn Murphy received the bulk of the work for the unit, with Johnson leading the group at 32 snaps.
- Fred "JayR" Johnson: 32 snaps
- Justin Okoronkwo: 29 snaps
- Shawn Murphy: 17 snaps
- Jamian Risher: 10 snaps
- Keenan Britt: four snaps
- Andrew Harris: four snaps
- Donovan Darden: three snaps
Special teams battle remains worth watching
There wasn't too much to report on special-teams action in the game, seeing how South Carolina controlled from start to finish. However, the kicker competition remains something to monitor going forward. Mason Love had one punt for 37 yards, Max Kelley handled seven kickoffs and went 3-for-3 on extra points, while Malik Orsan added two kickoffs, converting all four of his PAT attempts.
As previously stated, the opener for South Carolina doesn't settle every role for the rest of the season, especially against overmatched opponents like Kent State. That being said, this first game offered a promising look at the talent and depth that South Carolina has assembled as the Gamecocks head into the weeks ahead.
South Carolina will look to build on its strong opening performance when it returns to Williams-Brice Stadium next Saturday night to face Towson. The Tigers will provide another opportunity for the Gamecocks to continue developing their rotation before conference play begins.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: South Carolina football snap counts reveal Week 1 depth
