Dylan Wonnum ready to impact offense however he can returning from injury
Dylan Wonnum’s 2021 season at South Carolina didn’t necessarily go as planned.
After coming in expecting to start every game and potentially take the next step in his career, Wonnum watched as his season ended halfway through.
That’s when he suffered a back injury that required surgery, bringing Wonnum back for a super-senior fifth year.
“It’s definitely frustrating. Everybody has a goal and expectation when they come into college. To not be able to meet that does mess with your mental a little bit,” Wonnum said. “I still have my goals. I might not get there when I want to get there, but I’m going to get there.”
Back and fully healthy, Wonnum’s ready to try and impact the offense any way he can.
He’s one of just three returning players with over 30 starts and part of an offensive line group returning six players with at least 10 starts under their belts.
“It’s a big deal. We have a level of comfort. I know he has my back,” Wonnum said, putting his arm around Eric Douglas. “I don’t have to worry about him and I don’t have to compensate for him. Sometimes on the offensive line you overcompensate of certain people. We’re good.”
However, unlike in years past, Wonnum will have to fight for his job. Throughout preseason camp, he’ll be competing against Tyshawn Wannamaker for starting right tackle duties.
When Wonnum didn’t play last year, Wannamaker filled the void. He started at right tackle in South Carolina’s final six games.
Wonnum mentioned there’s no animosity towards Wannamaker, and the two are ready to battle it out for that starting job.
“I feel like my game has gotten better because I’ve gotten reps in games. So just building off of that,” Wannamaker said. “I’m a guy that loves competition so it is what it is.”
From what his teammates have seen during practice, Wonnum hasn’t missed a beat.
“He’s been doing pretty good,” Jordan Burch said. “I thought their communication connections were pretty good between Spencer (Rattler) and Luke (Doty) in practice. Everything I feel like has been flowing pretty well. I like how our offense looks like that too.”
While Wonnum may be in the midst of a position battle, he hasn’t forgotten about the role he serves in helping the younger guys develop.
“My main focus is to really leave something to the young guys. Instill certain things that were instilled in us that they can take and fly with it. I want them to be themselves,” Wonnum said.
This season, the Gamecocks will have nine freshmen on the offensive line. Having a handful of new faces up front could be beneficial in the team’s overall game plan.
“We have some new things brewing and utilizing more people,” Wonnum said. “You’ll just see a more athletic offensive line.”
Wonnum’s role for South Carolina may not be clear right now, but he hasn’t allowed his mindset to change.
“Us as a team, everybody has high expectations,” Wonnum said. “When you have high expectations for yourself you do better. You work harder.
