COLOMBIA – South Carolina’s high school gave some glimpses of what it could be during Will Muschamp’s five-year term. The problem was inconsistency.
The thought was that the new coach could achieve stability in the group, to smooth the rough edges and get the Gamecocks back to their reputation as a “Defensive University of the Backs”.
Instead, Shane Beamer is facing another reconstruction within his already huge reconstruction project. The Gamecocks started the season with 12 BDs on scholarship among a group of 16, and five of them who played most snaps are gone.
Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu were the first to go, opting out of the last three games of the season after Muschamp was fired and declaring his intentions to enter the NFL Draft. Each was expected to turn professional after the season anyway, and in Mukuamu’s case, the recurrence of a chronic groin problem would not allow him to play the final three games anyway.
Still, their decisions and the resulting reaction – did they take advantage of the COVID exclusion scenario or gave up on their teammates? – soured the atmosphere. Initial security RJ Roderick also gave up, but did not make his intentions clear for next season, and three more entered the transfer portal after the final game.
Reserve safety Shilo Sanders, who had moments but never made it to the starting lineup, did what he most hoped for when he moved to play for his father, Deion Sanders, and his brother at Jackson State.
On Wednesday, starting nickel Jammie Robinson and John Dixon, which became a starting corner when Horn and Mukuamu left, entered the portal.
Roderick started six games and could return.
But if you don’t, the group that left represents almost all starts and five of the team’s eight interceptions.
“You never know how these guys are going to do. It’s been a long year and a lot of things going on out there, from guys who don’t play bowl games, teams who choose to leave, ”said interim coach Mike Bobo before Robinson and Dixon entered the portal. “It’s like I told these guys, you chose to play for South Carolina and you play for the Southeast Conference, and the reason you chose to play for this conference and this team is because we love to compete.”
As soon as Bobo took over from Muschamp, he went straight to the Gamecocks’ weaknesses. Although he never featured any players, he criticized the team’s overall speed and mentioned the lack of responsibility.
“Leadership is influence. We have to cultivate the children who have an influence on this football team, and those who have this good influence, these are the ones we need to cultivate and put in leadership roles, ”said Bobo. “And those who have a bad influence, frankly, we need to get them out of here.”
Bobo said that a week ago, when the Gamecocks accepted the bowl invitation that they were forced to terminate two days later. At the time, it was officially Beamer’s program, and the outgoing players landed in the middle of everything he was trying to fix.
Beamer will have some defensive backs to count. Jaylin Dickerson played well as a substitute, although the frequently injured player missed the final game due to an injury. Cam Smith intercepted two passes, Jaylan Foster started five games and Joey Hunter played well.
Two candidates for a junior high school, Marcellas Dial and Isaiah Norris, signed with Beamer of the Georgia Army and Sam Reynolds, an Alabama recruit, is also on board.
The consistent game was a goal by Muschamp and will be by Beamer. It’s just that first, Beamer has to start by finding and maintaining a consistent secondary on the field.
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.