South Carolina football practice takeaways: Nyckoles Harbor absent, Trey Knox returns

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football concluded its 2023 preseason open practices Thursday, so the next time we see the Gamecocks line up will be against North Carolina on Sept. 2.

Five-star freshman wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor wasn't on coach Shane Beamer's injury report after Saturday's scrimmage, but he was absent from practice Thursday. Harbor has taken first-team reps at wide receiver while top returner Antwane Wells recovers from a lower body injury.

A team spokesperson was not aware of the reason for Harbor's absence, so it's unclear whether he is injured or was simply unavailable. Beamer does not regularly speak with the media after practice.

Here are our other key takeaways from Thursday's practice, including injury updates and an NFL scout sighting:

Updating the injury report

Wells and freshman tight end Reid Mikeska were absent as expected due to injuries, but all other players who Beamer said did not scrimmage Saturday were accounted for. Freshman linebacker Grayson Howard, who did not participate during last Friday's open practice, competed in a no-contact jersey, as did Memphis transfer receiver Eddie Lewis.

Star tight end Trey Knox returned as a full participant after he was absent from practice last Friday, but his right leg was heavily taped and he wore a bulky knee brace. Freshman WR Kelton Henderson and offensive lineman Cason Henry, who both sat out of the scrimmage, were also full participants.

New faces in first-team reps

Sophomore Stone Blanton stepped up to the first team at linebacker in Howard's place after appearing in 12 games in 2022. The Gamecocks also appear to be experimenting with their young defensive backs: Redshirt freshmen Emory Floyd and Keenan Nelson Jr. ran with the first team, while three true freshmen worked behind them in the second group.

Syracuse transfer Jatius Geer made his first first-team appearance at open practice, taking over Tyreek Johnson's spot at edge rusher alongside Jordan Strachan. The 6-foot-6, 243-pound Geer started 12 games for the Orange last season, logging 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and 33 tackles.

South Carolina looks settled on the interior O-line, but two players appeared as first-team tackles for the first time across four open practices. Charlotte transfer Jaxon Hughes took the reps at left tackle over Jakai Moore, and Henry started at right tackle where Tyshawn Wannamaker and Sidney Fugar have played.

Scouts at practice with Spencer Rattler a 2024 NFL Draft prospect

Two NFL scouts, one from the San Francisco 49ers and another from the Minnesota Vikings, watched practice from the sidelines, chatting with director of football operations George Wynn as the team ran drills. With Wells out, it's likely both teams are doing due diligence on quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Neither the Niners or Vikings have a long-term franchise quarterback on their roster and might be looking for one in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rattler, once considered a certain first-round pick, is currently projected as a second- or third-round selection. A return to 2020 Oklahoma form in his second year at South Carolina could skyrocket Rattler back into the elite quarterback conversation.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football practice observations: Nyckoles Harbor absent