The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are back on the gridiron, gearing up for the 2024 College Football season with an optimism that rivals the scenic views of their Conway home. After an 8-5 season that saw them notch a 5-3 record in the Sun Belt Conference and cap it off with a victory in the Hawaii Bowl, the Chants are looking to build on their recent success and make waves in the coming season.
Head Coach Tim Beck is entering his second year at the helm, and he's no stranger to turning challenges into opportunities. Last season, Beck and his staff managed to navigate an unprecedented level of player turnover, integrating 52 new faces and 29 transfers into the squad. Now, with a year under their belts and a solid foundation laid, the Chanticleers are poised to soar even higher.
One of the most intriguing storylines this fall is the battle for the starting quarterback position. With Grayson McCall, the Sun Belt Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons, transferring to N.C. State, the position is wide open. Redshirt sophomore Ethan Vasko, who started four of the final five games last season, appears to have a slight edge. Vasko, who transferred from Kansas, boasts an impressive record of seven touchdowns and only one interception in those starts.
"When you have a quarterback who takes care of the football and finds ways to win, that's invaluable," Beck noted. "Ethan has been growing in all aspects—physically, mentally, and in his understanding of the game."
But Vasko isn't the only contender. The Chanticleers have added two promising transfers in Noah Kim from Michigan State and Tad Hudson from North Carolina, as well as talented freshman D.J. Moore from Jacksonville, Florida. Hudson, a redshirt freshman, was a highly-touted four-star recruit who set records at Hough High in North Carolina. Kim, a redshirt senior, brings experience from the Big Ten, where he once earned Offensive Player of the Week honors. Moore, rated a three-star prospect, turned down offers from several Power Five programs to join Coastal.
During spring practices, Beck made sure to give all his quarterbacks time with the first-team offense, and the competition has been fierce. This level of competition is expected to continue into fall camp, making for an exciting prelude to the season.
The Chanticleers are also retooling their offense after losing key weapons like receiver Sam Pinckney, the Sun Belt's all-time receiving yards leader, and Jared Brown, who transferred to South Carolina. Jameson Tucker, who had 20 receptions for 423 yards and 3 touchdown in 2023. He also averaged an impressive 21.2 yards per catch last season, is poised to step up, alongside Braydon Bennett and Max Balthazar in the backfield. Bennett contributed over 600 yards from scrimmage last year, while Balthazar, who carried the ball 43 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns, is expected to see increased action. The departure of CJ Beasley to Georgia State will be mitigated by the addition of Simeon Price from Mississippi State.
On the offensive line, continuity is a strength, with starting center Zac Elam and tackles Zovon Lindsay and Nick Del Grande returning. This solid foundation will be crucial as the new skill players find their footing.
Defensively, the Chanticleers bring back a wealth of experience. Redshirt senior linebacker Shane Bruce leads the charge, with sophomores Wyatt Gegeon and Tray Brown ready to make their mark. The defensive backfield is fortified with returning talents like Juan Powell, Matthew McDoom, Abraham Temoney III, Tobias Fletcher, and Courtney Eubanks. However, the defensive line is undergoing a significant makeover, with 15 of 19 players being new to the program. Braylon Ryan, Manny Johnson, and Will Whitson will anchor the line as the newcomers integrate.
With over 40 new transfers joining the roster, competition in fall camp is expected to be intense. Each position battle promises to be a showcase of talent and determination, as players vie for their spot in the Chanticleers' starting lineup.
As the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers set their sights on the 2024 season, the excitement is palpable. With a blend of seasoned leaders and promising newcomers, the team is ready to ride the wave and make a splash in college football. Stay tuned—this is going to be a season to remember.
Commenti