Eight Gamecocks Garner Nine Pre-Season All-SEC Slots from Athlon Sports

Eight South Carolina Gamecocks garnered nine spots on the four 2022 pre-season All-SEC teams as selected by Athlon Sports.
 
Cornerback Cam Smith is the lone Gamecock listed on the pre-season first-team All-SEC unit, according to Athlon Sports. Wide receiver Josh Vann and tight end Jaheim Bell garnered second-team honors. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and kick returner Juju McDowell represented South Carolina on the third team. The fourth team unit had Vann listed as a punt returner, along with all-purpose back Dakereon Joyner, offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn and punter Kai Kroeger.
 
Athlon Sports bases its selections on how players will perform in 2022. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2022 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. Also, team strength does not play a role in selections. These are the best individual players at each position in the league for ’22, according to Athlon.
 
The complete pre-season All-SEC football teams can be found here.
 
The Gamecocks, under second-year head coach Shane Beamer, will open the 2022 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 3, when they host the Georgia State Panthers. Game time has been set for 7:30 pm ET and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN+/SECN+.