W
Wes Mitchell
Guest
** South Carolina is in the middle of its winter workout program and one thing I'm told that's been apparent is that the team as a whole as a good understanding of what the staff wants from them from both an effort standpoint and a logistics standpoint.
With a brand new coaching staff and a brand new strength staff and workout program this time last season, there was obviously an adjustment period for the team as a whole and a realization from some that they just weren't "in" for the way things were going to be done, which is why you always see a large amount of transfers from a new staff takes over.
That's not to say that there won't be some who still ultimately decide to move on, but the group as a whole has bought in and are pushing each other, which is always more effective than a coach having to push them.
Below are some individual notes I've picked up. The obligatory warnings: Just because a player isn't named below, doesn't mean he's not having a good offseason so far and just because a player has a great offseason, doesn't mean they're definitely going to have a huge season.
** Senior linebacker Skai Moore looks great physically and I'm told shows no signs of still being hampered by the neck injury that kept him out last season. Moore knows this is his "contract year" so to speak and has returned with something to prove. There will be a small adjustment period to being back on the field after a year off, but Moore's instincts are so good that I don't think it's an issue at all. Physically, he's where he needs to be.
** Junior wide receiver Deebo Samuel has looked like a man on a mission this offseason and is easily one of South Carolina's most improved players in the weight room when you look back at his progress from when he first arrived until now. It's no surprise, but I would expect Samuel to have a huge season.
** I've heard multiple positive reports on freshman safety early enrollee Jaylin Dickerson, who the staff loved in camp this past summer and has been impressive early on in workouts. Dickerson is the type of kid that's going to be first in line for conditioning and is willing to do the little things that it takes to succeed. He's a high floor guy in that there's very little doubt that he's going to make some type of positive contribution to the program. He's also one of the more athletic guys on the team.
** Cornerback Jamarcus King's biggest weight room goal this offseason is to put on good weight and I'm told he's got some positive momentum in doing so. The 6-foot-2 King was listed at 180 pounds but is now closing in on 190 pounds.
** Sophomore Korey Banks is obviously one of the fastest guys on the team and it shows in workouts as he's gotten more comfortable with what's asked of him. He's usually first to the finish line in running drills.
** One of the big goals for defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth this offseason was to drop some weight and he's accomplished that. After playing at a little over 315 pounds last season, Stallworth is down to the 305-pound range.
** Some others I've heard good things about in the weight room, but no real specifics, are Bryson Allen-Williams, Jake Bentley, Ty'Son Williams, Hayden Hurst, T.J. Brunson, Cory Helms, Dante Sawyer and Javon Charleston.
With a brand new coaching staff and a brand new strength staff and workout program this time last season, there was obviously an adjustment period for the team as a whole and a realization from some that they just weren't "in" for the way things were going to be done, which is why you always see a large amount of transfers from a new staff takes over.
That's not to say that there won't be some who still ultimately decide to move on, but the group as a whole has bought in and are pushing each other, which is always more effective than a coach having to push them.
Below are some individual notes I've picked up. The obligatory warnings: Just because a player isn't named below, doesn't mean he's not having a good offseason so far and just because a player has a great offseason, doesn't mean they're definitely going to have a huge season.
** Senior linebacker Skai Moore looks great physically and I'm told shows no signs of still being hampered by the neck injury that kept him out last season. Moore knows this is his "contract year" so to speak and has returned with something to prove. There will be a small adjustment period to being back on the field after a year off, but Moore's instincts are so good that I don't think it's an issue at all. Physically, he's where he needs to be.
** Junior wide receiver Deebo Samuel has looked like a man on a mission this offseason and is easily one of South Carolina's most improved players in the weight room when you look back at his progress from when he first arrived until now. It's no surprise, but I would expect Samuel to have a huge season.
** I've heard multiple positive reports on freshman safety early enrollee Jaylin Dickerson, who the staff loved in camp this past summer and has been impressive early on in workouts. Dickerson is the type of kid that's going to be first in line for conditioning and is willing to do the little things that it takes to succeed. He's a high floor guy in that there's very little doubt that he's going to make some type of positive contribution to the program. He's also one of the more athletic guys on the team.
** Cornerback Jamarcus King's biggest weight room goal this offseason is to put on good weight and I'm told he's got some positive momentum in doing so. The 6-foot-2 King was listed at 180 pounds but is now closing in on 190 pounds.
** Sophomore Korey Banks is obviously one of the fastest guys on the team and it shows in workouts as he's gotten more comfortable with what's asked of him. He's usually first to the finish line in running drills.
** One of the big goals for defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth this offseason was to drop some weight and he's accomplished that. After playing at a little over 315 pounds last season, Stallworth is down to the 305-pound range.
** Some others I've heard good things about in the weight room, but no real specifics, are Bryson Allen-Williams, Jake Bentley, Ty'Son Williams, Hayden Hurst, T.J. Brunson, Cory Helms, Dante Sawyer and Javon Charleston.
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