2026 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart
South Carolina’s fantasy outlook hinges on a few clear bets amid plenty of uncertainty. At quarterback, LaNorris Sellers enters 2026 entrenched as QB1 after a late-2024 breakout and solid 2025 campaign. His dual-threat ability (5 rushing TDs in 2025) gives him a sturdy fantasy floor and job security under new OC Kendal Briles. Any nominal competition (like transfer Lucian Anderson) is more about depth; Sellers’ rushing upside and experience firmly keep him on top. The real intrigue is how Briles’ uptempo scheme elevates his ceiling – a fast-paced offense should amplify Sellers’ playmaking, especially given his rapport with emerging targets.
The running back room is deep but lacks a proven workhorse, making role hierarchy critical. Texas transfer Christian Clark projects as RB1 due to his blend of experience and versatility – he posted 293 scrimmage yards and 3 TDs at Texas including 105 yards in the Citrus Bowl, showing he can deliver on a big stage. Redshirt sophomore Matt Fuller, who led returning backs with 260 yards and 2 scores in 2025, brings track-speed and familiarity with the system. Both have the inside track for touches, but neither is guaranteed a bell-cow role. In fact, South Carolina added three tailbacks via the portal, signaling a likely committee approach and “no clear lead rusher” at first. Still, Clark’s pass-game ability and big-game poise give him an edge for fantasy value, with Fuller providing a bruising complement. The RB3 spot looks like a three-way tension point between incoming talents. Ohio State import Sam Williams-Dixon offers all-purpose upside and flashed in limited Big Ten action, which may earn him rotational snaps ahead of incumbent Jawarn Howell (who hasn’t seized a major role yet) and Penn State transfer Jabree Coleman (a former top-25 RB recruit with four years eligibility). Expect South Carolina to ride the hot hand week to week – a frustrating scenario for fantasy, but one that rewards whichever back capitalizes on early opportunities.
At wide receiver, the Gamecocks possess an intriguing mix of size and speed, and we’ve ranked the top six purely by projected fantasy impact. Freakish junior Nyck Harbor claims the WR1 spot after averaging 20.6 yards per catch with 6 TDs last season. Harbor’s elite athletic profile (6’5″ frame with sprinter speed) and red-zone production make him the most likely alpha target, especially if Briles schemes him into open space downfield. Pushing him is newcomer Nitro Tuggle as WR2 – the former four-star had 507 yards and 4 TDs at Purdue in 2025, proving himself “SEC-ready” in the portal haul. Tuggle’s polished route-running and run-after-catch ability should translate immediately, and his prior college production gives him a higher floor than other options. WR3 is Jayden Gibson, a 6’5″ transfer from Oklahoma who flashed great promise (375 yards, 5 TDs in 2023) before injuries derailed him. Gibson brings game-breaking potential and size to win contested balls; if he stays healthy, he could easily outproduce this ranking, but his injury history tempers expectations slightly. Meanwhile, sophomore Jayden Sellers slots in as WR4. The younger brother of the Gamecocks’ QB, Sellers surprised as a true freshman with 337 receiving yards and should see an expanded slot role. His chemistry with LaNorris and dependable hands could make him a PPR sleeper, even if he lacks the raw upside of the bigger outside receivers above him. Rounding out the depth chart, WR5 Mazeo Bennett Jr. exemplifies talent vs. opportunity. A touted recruit with playmaking skills, Bennett has yet to carve out a consistent role (just 62 yards in 2025) and now faces fierce competition. He’ll need a strong camp to fend off transfers and finally translate his ability into production. Still, we include him for his ceiling should the light turn on in year three. The final WR6 spot goes to Holy Cross transfer Charly Mullaly, a sure-handed depth piece who logged 17 catches for 189 yards last year. Mullaly may not be a fantasy starter, but his experience provides insurance and he could steal the occasional snap, especially if injuries strike the depth chart.
Tight end is the lone offensive group with minimal fantasy appeal here. Senior Maurice Brown II returns as TE1 – a long-time special-teams contributor and blocker who has just two receptions to his name. While Brown’s snap share should be high due to his experience, his fantasy ceiling is low. South Carolina lost its only true pass-catching tight end when former top recruit Michael Smith transferred, so no clear receiving threat has emerged at this position. Redshirt sophomore Reno Roehm profiles as TE2 thanks to his massive 6’7″ frame, but he’s a walk-on who earned his spot for blocking and hasn’t recorded a catch. In Briles’s spread offense, the TE might be an afterthought outside of occasional dump-offs or goal-line play action. In short, don’t overinvest in this tight end unit. Finally, at kicker, the Gamecocks brought in Texas Tech transfer Upton Bellenfant to replace four-year starter William Joyce. Bellenfant was a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals for Tech last season (albeit all under 40 yards). His proven accuracy gives him the inside track as K1, and an uptick in offensive pace could lead to more scoring chances than the beleaguered 2025 unit managed.