South Carolina football's offensive line mission in 2024: 'The run game is our main thing'

COLUMBIA — Following a demanding spring season and the end of the academic year, South Carolina football typically takes the month of May off.

The offensive line group this year, however, didn't take any breaks when the spring semester ended May 1. The players didn't leave campus much at all and instead worked out on campus throughout May and June.

Coach Shane Beamer lost six offensive linemen to season-ending injuries in 2023, forcing nine different starting lineup combinations in the first nine games. That fueled a dedicated group that looks to put what happened in 2023 behind them.

"We made a business decision to get that extra work in," Jakai Moore, a sixth year lineman said Tuesday. "Getting that extra work in has helped us progress into what we are now and into what we are about to become. The month of May has made an amazing impact on what we are doing right now."

Moore leads an offensive line room that includes three true freshman in Kam Pringle, Blake Franks and Josiah Thompson, who he said are adjusting well to college play.

Moore played 11 games for South Carolina last season, starting in nine. In preseason practice, he's played in three spots, which he says he enjoys due to the mental challenge. Last year he played right guard, left guard and left tackle.

"I find it interesting and (like) having a good flow wherever I go to, I have a good time doing it," Moore said of his position changes in preseason practices.

The Gamecocks also now have a fully healthy Rocket Sanders, a transfer running back who suffered a torn labrum in December when he played for Arkansas. Sanders, who missed the spring practices, is expected to light up the run game for South Carolina this year.

"I feel like it's going to be a great year not just for me but for everyone in the running back room and on the line," Sanders said. "It starts with the offensive line, with them having self confidence in themselves. They're doing the right things, and it affects us. Trusting them, trusting us, we are going to have a bright future on that."

In 2023, the Gamecocks finished last in the SEC in rushing yards per game with just 85.1.

South Carolina is without Mario Anderson, who transferred to Memphis after finishing 2023 with 707 yards on 143 carries for the Gamecocks. Sanders' pre-injury numbers from 2022 (1,443 yards on 222 carries) explain why he was one of the best transfer pick ups for South Carolina this offseason, and Moore was clear the run game was a top priority in 2024.

With the speed displayed from quarterback LaNorris Sellers during the spring game, where he rushed for 38 yards and a 13-yard touchdown, in addition to Sanders' talent, Moore wants to let the running backs excel.

"The run game is our main thing. I feel like that's all we really want to do," Moore said.

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football offensive line bent on boosting 2024 run game