Bear in mind we only saw about 20 minutes of practice today, some stretching/running and then the first three periods. That said, I'll pass along what I saw and try to mingle that with some other things I've learned this offseason.
- Looking at returning defensive lineman JJ Enagbare, he does indeed looked trimmed up from last season. Will Muschamp has said he will be able to play both inside and outside for USC this season, but looking at his frame I'd think he'll be able to help out more at end than at tackle, the position he primarily played before the bowl game last season.
- We did not get to see the quarterbacks throw routes to receivers; they spent essentially the entire time throwing into Dan Werner's nets that he brought once he came on as the Gamecocks' quarterbacks coach. I thought all the returners were solid in that aspect. I thought Jay Urich spun it pretty well from what I saw during those sessions; that stood out.
- Deshaun Fenwick was the second running back out there, after Mon Denson. Rico Dowdle was one of several players doing work on the side in the indoor facility, although he was not in yellow. AJ Turner, of course, is with the defensive backs for the first several days of practice.
- Shi Smith was another player working with the limited players in the indoor facility. He had some type of band and leg wrap on his left leg. Smith is a player with a lot of speed and ability, but the staff is looking for him to take the next step this season. He was challenged in the offseason to get stronger and responded.
- It will be interesting to monitor the competition on the Gamecocks' offensive line this season. Today, Sadarius Hutcherson got the first crack at left tackle, with Dylan Wonnum on the right side. Donell Stanley and Eric Douglas worked at left and right guard, respectively, and Chandler Farrell at center.
Hutcherson and Wonnum could switch sides at some points during practice throughout the spring to get repetitions at the opposite spot. Stanley seems fairly locked in to the left guard spot,but one would think that Jovaughn Gwyn (was working in the indoor as well) and Jordan Rhodes could have a say at a guard spot, and Hank Manos at center.
- Eldridge Thompson was in yellow, but was moving around as usual with the defense and looked good doing so.
- Jamel Cook, a player Muschamp said would factor in at safety this season, brings great length to the field but also looks to have filled out some since last season.
- Looking at returning defensive lineman JJ Enagbare, he does indeed looked trimmed up from last season. Will Muschamp has said he will be able to play both inside and outside for USC this season, but looking at his frame I'd think he'll be able to help out more at end than at tackle, the position he primarily played before the bowl game last season.
- We did not get to see the quarterbacks throw routes to receivers; they spent essentially the entire time throwing into Dan Werner's nets that he brought once he came on as the Gamecocks' quarterbacks coach. I thought all the returners were solid in that aspect. I thought Jay Urich spun it pretty well from what I saw during those sessions; that stood out.
- Deshaun Fenwick was the second running back out there, after Mon Denson. Rico Dowdle was one of several players doing work on the side in the indoor facility, although he was not in yellow. AJ Turner, of course, is with the defensive backs for the first several days of practice.
- Shi Smith was another player working with the limited players in the indoor facility. He had some type of band and leg wrap on his left leg. Smith is a player with a lot of speed and ability, but the staff is looking for him to take the next step this season. He was challenged in the offseason to get stronger and responded.
- It will be interesting to monitor the competition on the Gamecocks' offensive line this season. Today, Sadarius Hutcherson got the first crack at left tackle, with Dylan Wonnum on the right side. Donell Stanley and Eric Douglas worked at left and right guard, respectively, and Chandler Farrell at center.
Hutcherson and Wonnum could switch sides at some points during practice throughout the spring to get repetitions at the opposite spot. Stanley seems fairly locked in to the left guard spot,but one would think that Jovaughn Gwyn (was working in the indoor as well) and Jordan Rhodes could have a say at a guard spot, and Hank Manos at center.
- Eldridge Thompson was in yellow, but was moving around as usual with the defense and looked good doing so.
- Jamel Cook, a player Muschamp said would factor in at safety this season, brings great length to the field but also looks to have filled out some since last season.
