Shane Beamer is sailing in his first season as a head coach. So far, the practice of South Carolina Gamecocks Spring has been about enthusiasm and learning. The new team and players have talked about the renewed energy surrounding the program in recent months. Strength Trainer Luke Day he was mentioned several times for his hand in boosting the team in terms of energy and consistency during winter training. With a new team taking over, learning is also a priority during the off-season.
South Carolina Gamecocks Spring Practice Focused on Enthusiasm and Learning
The team did three workouts before taking a break for the holiday weekend. South Carolina took advantage of the new NCAA regulations that allow meetings and visits between players and coaches out of season. This will certainly help to accelerate the learning curve as the new team implements its schemes on both sides of the ball. For a program that comes from consecutive bad seasons, the need for optimism and enthusiasm is great. Beamer and his new team talked about how happy they are with the attitude and energy they saw in the players.
First time for everything
Optimism is sometimes easy to emerge when a new team takes on a program, as there is nothing else to do but look ahead. For South Carolina, this is especially true. Beamer is learning on the job as a head coach for the first time. Many of the assistants are also at the SEC level for the first time. The unknowns that go into the 2021 season are on the list and under the team’s headphones in garnet and black. This makes the practice of Gamecocks Spring even more crucial to the direction of this program. Optimism is very good, but improving and winning will determine how long it will last.
That’s where learning comes in. The possibility of holding meetings and orientations has been a great impetus for this process. The players started to practice with more knowledge of the systems that the new coaches are implementing. Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield talked about players sitting in meetings with coaches, so learning and communication never stop.
New faces
Gamecocks also welcome some new but experienced players in this off-season. They added eight players from the transfer portal, while this team tried to fill some gaps in the list. The most recognizable name among them is Ahmarean Brown that was transferred from Georgia Tech. The second-year wide receiver had 32 receptions, 579 yards and eight touchdowns in two years of playing on the ACC. One of the most intriguing potential customers is Debo Williams Delaware. The freshman linebacker has been ultra productive and probably little recruited at school, and he will try to attack and make defensive moves.
Jason Brown and EJ Jenkins both were moved from St. Francis to Columbia after the fall and the subsequent spring seasons were canceled. Brown will add experience and versatility to the quarterback room. Jenkins was his favorite target and, at 6’8 ″, it could be a confrontational problem for opponents. Jordan Strachan led the FBS in bags in 2020 for the state of Georgia and will add depth to the defensive end. Defensive back David Spaulding and Carlins Platel it will also be in garnet and black next season.
Filling in gaps
The transfers will help the new team fill in the gaps in this list, especially those of the recipient and the secondary. These are the most glaring ones that need immediate improvement, and each for different reasons. the secondary is very thin on bodies with departures from last year’s team. They lost two guys to the NFL draft and three more to the transfer portal. This position group lacks depth and experience, more than any other on this list. Gamecocks Spring training will be a great opportunity for players to introduce themselves and coaches to try to recognize who they can count on.
Gamecocks have proven talent in the racing game and along the offensive line, but the passing game has question marks. There are many options for capturing passes, but this position group has a lot to prove in 2021. OrTre SmithThe name of was mentioned by Beamer as someone who looked good during the limited time of practice. He showed a lot of potential as a freshman before injuries hurt his second season. Smith can be a big factor for this team if he is back to his best. Josh Vann, Jalen Brooks, and Rico Powers you will need to step up on the receiver as well.
Gamecocks Spring practice powered by new energy
Optimism and enthusiasm are starting to resurface around this South Carolina program. This is usually the case when a new coach takes over. Obviously, the results in the fall are what matters most. Only time will tell how things will change during the 2021 season. For now, the spring practice of Gamecocks is a chance for this team to learn and improve. Energy and consistency are the two most prevalent themes mentioned by the new technical team. They have twelve training sessions left to implement their plans and identify the players they can count on. There is a buzz around this program, but only work will support the new optimism.
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