COLOMBIA – The first training session of the spring is more than a month from now, but the excitement with football never stops.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer released his first spring squad last week and was immediately analyzed for newcomers, updated weights and any significant changes. Gamecocks are scheduled to begin their spring on March 20 (with practices potentially open to fans, although COVID-19 sets these guidelines) and Beamer, with his team fully intact and enthusiastic at the Long High operations center, is finalizing his plans for know what to install in the 15 spring sessions.
“Actually, just attacking the weight room and doing everything we can to get in here with (the new strength coach Luke Day) and continue to get stronger,” said Beamer. “Continuing to develop these guys on and off the pitch is our mentality now, before we go into any scheme. Let’s start getting into specifics about football and stuff before we start practicing. “
Disable again on
The Gamecocks had three players dropped out before the 2020 season: Receivers OrTre Smith and Randrecous Davis, and striker Mark Fox. Safety RJ Roderick, a native of Summerville, dropped out after seven games when former coach Will Muschamp was fired.
All four are on the list to start the spring. Smith, who dealt with a genetic knee problem that led him to 11 games from 2018-19 after receiving 30 passes in 13 games in 2017, has been healthier since signing up.
Shane Beamer finished off his team and his first football roster in the spring. Photo provided / South Carolina Athletics
The USC is in desperate need of help in its receiving corps and Smith could provide it, as a 6-4 point target in the field that has deviated more than its share of defenders. Davis can also help if he can stay on the pitch. He has been talked about perhaps more than any other player on the squad in recent years, but has always been surprised by injuries.
Davis stretched a hamstring in 2016, had a sports hernia and another soft tissue injury in 2017, a groin injury in 2018 and an ankle sprain that cost him the entire 2019 season. He was last seen sitting outside of spring 2020 training with a stress fracture in the leg.
Gamecocks also need a lot of help in high school, after most of their defensive backs have been pro or transferred after Muschamp’s expulsion. Roderick can provide the necessary experience after participating in 31 games before giving up.
Name change
The “Buck” stand-up edge rusher, a defensive side or external linebacker, was changed to “Edge” in Beamer’s defense.
Real freshman Sam Reynolds, one of the first entrants who was listed as an athlete on his recruiting profile, is listed as a receiver for his first spring.
The numbers
The Gamecocks added 12 newcomers on scholarships and three walk-ons. They lost 18 fellows, and nine substitutes on the 2020 list are not on the spring 2021 list.
USC gained momentum when tight end Nick Muse declared his return. Muse is the greatest pass catcher after Shi Smith declares himself to the NFL. He developed a strong relationship with quarterback Luke Doty at the end of last season, ending the year with 30 receptions for 425 yards and a touchdown.
Edge JJ Enagbare also returned after tying the SEC lead with six sacks. Seven of his 30 tackles last year were lost and he forced three fumbles.
However, there are so many familiar names that are no longer around after many have sought a new start or a change of scenery. Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu, Smith, Ernest Jones and Sadarius Hutcherson all declared themselves for the NFL, with the eight-game starting quarterback Collin Hill also choosing to pursue his professional dream. QB reserve Ryan Hilinski transferred to Northwestern.
Tailback Deshaun Fenwick parted ways with Oregon State after a solid year behind 1,000-yard rusher Kevin Harris, while defensive line anchor Keir Thomas decided to play his senior year at Florida State. Three high school members were also transferred: Shilo Sanders (joining his father, coach Deion Sanders, at Jackson State), Jammie Robinson (Florida State) and John Dixon (Penn State).
Summerville’s Chandler Farrell stick also turned down a sixth year of eligibility so he could start his professional life. Farrell is enrolling in the chiropractic school.
Beamer had to take what he could due to being hired in December, and seven of his recruits came through the transfer portal. They include quarterback Jason Brown and receiver EJ Jenkins of St. Francis, receiver Ahmarean Brown of Georgia Tech, striker Keem Green of Nebraska and edge rusher Jordan Strachan, who tied for the lead last season.
“With the transfer portal, it’s like the wild west in many ways,” said Beamer. “We benefited from seven who were transferred here. I hope they all can (contribute in 2021). All of these guys, we feel really good. “
The USC still has an open purse that it can use, but Beamer said he is in no hurry to distribute it, unless the right player appears. The rest of the recruiting class must apply by May.
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.