Gamecocks Place Three on SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team

The University of South Carolina placed three players on the SEC’s All-Freshman team as selected by the league’s 14 coaches, it was announced today by the SEC office.
 
Redshirt freshman Tyshawn Wannamaker was selected to the offensive line, redshirt freshman Alex Huntley earned a spot on the defensive line and true freshman Juju McDowell was recognized as both the all-purpose back and return specialist on the 2021 SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman team.
 
Wannamaker, a 6-4, 214-pounder from St. Matthews, S.C., played in all 12 games, including six starts, during the 2021 season. He moved into the starting lineup at right tackle midway through the season following an injury to Dylan Wonnum and held that position throughout the remainder of the season.
 
Huntley, a 6-4, 305-pounder from Blythewood, S.C., played in all 12 games for Carolina in 2021. He recorded nine tackles, including seven solo stops.
 
McDowell, a 5-9, 177-pounder from Leesburg, Ga., was fourth on the team with 47 carries for 196 yards and a touchdown. He also caught eight passes out of the backfield for 45 yards. He returned 15 kickoffs (third in the SEC) for 394 yards (fourth in the SEC), for an average of 26.3-yards per return. His best game came at East Carolina when he rushed for a game-high 71 yards on 11 carries and returned a kickoff 63 yards, setting up the game-tying score in the fourth quarter.
 
Wannamaker is the first Gamecock offensive lineman to make the All-Freshman team since Dylan Wonnum in 2018; Huntley is the first defensive lineman recognized since Zacch Pickens in 2019; and McDowell is the first Gamecock recognized on the All-Freshman team as both an all-purpose back and return specialist since Pharoh Cooper in 2013.
 
Three players on the SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman team is a high for South Carolina since the 2013 season when Pharoh Cooper (all-purpose and return specialist), Skai Moore (linebacker) and Elliott Fry (placekicker) were recognized.
 
Wannamaker, Huntley and McDowell’s talents will be on display when the Gamecocks (6-6, 3-5 SEC) travel to Charlotte for a December 30 date in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC). Game time is set for 11:30 am ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ESPN.
 
 
Freshman All-SEC Team
 
Offense
 
QB
Anthony Richardson, Florida
 
RB
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
 
WR
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Malik Nabers, LSU
 
TE
Brock Bowers, Georgia
 
OL
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Reuben Fatheree II, Texas A&M
Eli Acker, Ole Miss
Tyshawn Wannamaker, South Carolina
 
C
Bryce Foster, Texas A&M
 
AP
Juju McDowell, South Carolina
 
Defense
 
DL
Maason Smith, LSU
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Mekhi Wingo, Missouri
Alex Huntley, South Carolina
 
LB
Dallas Turner, Alabama
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
 
DB
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Tysheem Johnson, Ole Miss
 
Special Teams
 
PK
Cam Little, Arkansas
 
P
Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida
 
RS
Juju McDowell, South Carolina*
JoJo Earle, Alabama*
 
(* – Ties)