JUCO transfer Marquavius Lewis was a godsend in South Carolina’s 2015 signing class, a much-needed addition along the defensive line at the Gamecocks’ primary position of weakness.

Thus far through two weeks of spring practice, Lewis has already established himself as one of the unit’s best players despite much of South Carolina’s workouts being closed to the public and media.

“The defensive end that’s new here, Marquavius Lewis, has done a nice job,” new co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke said after a recent practice. “He jumps out. For him being his first time here, he fits.”

Lewis is listed as a first-teamer on the spring depth chart, ahead of sophomore David Johnson who maintained that spot last fall.

The Gamecocks managed just 14 sacks as a team, the fewest since Steve Spurrier’s arrival, following the departure of several veterans including Jadeveon Clowney.

“We don’t want to ever have another 7-6 year ever again,” sophomore defensive end David Johnson told The Post and Courier. “Last year, it was a disgrace to us. So as a team and a defense, we want to let everybody know that South Carolina is back on the map playing the game this year.”

Gerald Dixon, a returning starter, is expected to hold the other end spot until the coaching staff sees what Dante Sawyer can do during fall practice. Sawyer, a dominant JUCO lineman, is one of several incoming pass rushers who gets to campus later this summer and could contribute right away.

He’ll compete for an outside spot while Dexter Wideman, an early enrollee who has missed several practices after missing classes, maintains the defensive tackle position. Wideman could play at nose guard or end, but at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, fits better in the middle.

Senior Phillip Dukes, the elder statesmen in the trenches, won’t give up his spot without a fight.

“Being here for so long, and seeing what the older guys like Kelcy Quarles, J.T. (Surratt), Clowney and all of them, Melvin Ingram — I try to put myself in those shoes and be a leader and step up and do everything (coaches) ask of me,” Dukes told the Charleston newspaper. “I already know what to do and what’s expected of me, so just trying to get it done.”

The influx of pass rushers has allowed the Gamecocks to move Bryson Allen-Williams, a true freshman contributor last season, back to his more natural linebacker spot. Forced to play defensive end over the final six games last fall while Darius English and others struggled, Allen-Williams was noticeably undersized compared to lumbering SEC offensive tackles.

Allen-Williams was the highest-rated signee in South Carolina’s 2014 class. He’s expected to be one of the leaders on what Lorenzo Ward hopes is a much-improved defense this season alongside junior Skai Moore and hard-hitting linebacker Jonathan Walton.