Eleven Gamecocks Named to Athlon’s Preseason Lists

Eleven University of South Carolina football players have been named to Athlon magazine’s 2023 preseason All-America and All-SEC teams, the national publication announced today.

Senior punter Kai Kroeger and senior wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. both earned spots on Athlon’s All-America squads, with Kroeger listed on the second team, while Wells garnered a fourth-team selection. Kroeger and Wells were also named to Athlon’s preseason first-team All-SEC unit.

Kroeger was the top punter in the SEC a year ago while earning All-America honors after averaging 46.1-yards per punt with 29 of his 58 punts landing inside the 20. Wells was a first-team All-SEC performer after hauling in 68 catches for 928 yards with six scores.

Sophomore safety Nick Emmanwori was the lone Gamecock to earn a spot on the second-team All-SEC squad, while senior defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and senior placekicker Mitch Jeter were assigned to the third-team All-SEC unit. Emmanwori was the Gamecocks’ top tackler with 85 stops a year ago while earning Freshman All-America honors. Hemingway paced the squad with 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, while Jeter was a perfect 11-for-11 on field goal attempts, including a pair from 50-plus yards.

Six Gamecocks were featured on Athlon’s fourth-team All-SEC squad, including redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Rattler, graduate transfer tight end Trey Knox, “super” senior all-purpose back Dakereon Joyner, redshirt junior linebacker Mohamed Kaba, redshirt senior cornerback Marcellas Dial and “super” senior kick returner Xavier Legette.

Athlon Sports’ 2023 All-America team can be found here while its 2023 All-SEC team can be found here

The Gamecocks will open the 2023 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Charlotte against North Carolina.