Dakereon Joyner weighing options for his future. One more year at South Carolina?
South Carolina receiver-quarterback Dakereon Joyner is weighing his options.
Joyner told reporters following USC’s 63-38 dismantling of No. 5 Tennessee that he hadn’t made up his mind as to whether he’d use his final year of eligibility in Columbia, or move on.
“You never know,” he said. “I’m at the point now, man, where you never know.”
Joyner is a redshirt senior in his fifth year with the program. He was among the 21 Gamecocks who were recognized Saturday night during USC’s Senior Day ceremony.
He’s enjoyed a renaissance on the field of late, earning more carries and getting more involved in what the Gamecocks have wanted to do offensively.
He’s played at least 22 snaps per game in South Carolina’s previous five contests, per Pro Football Focus. He’s also seen an uptick in his touches. Joyner has recorded 143 of his 146 all-purpose yards this fall over the previous three games.
Saturday night was the North Charleston native’s most productive night of the season as he served as a change-of-pace quarterback and receiver in the Gamecocks’ upset win over the Volunteers.
Joyner finished the night with six carries for 21 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He added two receptions for 13 yards and completed his lone pass for 15 yards on a trick-play connection to quarterback Spencer Rattler.
“I love everything that he stands for and everything he’s about on and off the field,” head coach Shane Beamer said during his Sunday teleconference. “I think you’re seeing him continue to have more of a role in each and every game. He probably wasn’t 100% healthy early in the season. And I don’t think he was running as well as he’s running right now. He’s getting more and more confident, more and more healthy each week.”
Joyner’s history at South Carolina is well-documented. He came to USC as a four-star, dual-threat quarterback recruit in the Class of 2018. He has since flip-flopped back and forth between quarterback and receiver during his time in Columbia.
The former Fort Dorchester High standout eventually settled at receiver last fall before exploding as a quarterback with an MVP performance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. Joyner finished the bowl a perfect 9 for 9 passing for 160 yards and one touchdown in a surprise start under center. He added another 64 yards on 10 carries.
This year, though, has ebbed and flowed with not much action earlier in the season.
Now healthy, he’s become a more involved piece of the offense over the last few weeks.
Joyner technically has one more year of eligibility available to him, if he chooses to use it. Beamer said he hasn’t had conversations about the future with Joyner — or with any of the other players in a similar boat — but those talks will come shortly after Saturday’s regular-season finale against No. 7 Clemson.
“There were certainly a handful of guys that took part in the senior ceremony last night that could come back if they want to,” Beamer said. “And I’m hopeful and optimistic that a lot of them will.”
South Carolina Senior Day honorees
The full list of Gamecocks who participated:
- Nate Adkins
- Matthew Bailey
- Christian Beal-Smith
- Jalen Brooks
- Wyatt Campbell
- Eric Douglas
- Sherrod Greene
- Jovaughn Gwyn
- Brad Johnson
- Dakereon Joyner
- Hank Manos
- Jakai Moore
- Zacch Pickens
- Devonni Reed
- Darius Rush
- Austin Stogner
- Jordan Strachan
- Chad Terrell
- Josh Vann
- MJ Webb
- Dylan Wonnum
This story was originally published November 20, 2022 at 8:21 PM with the headline "Dakereon Joyner weighing options for his future. One more year at South Carolina?."
