B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
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DID YOU KNOW? You can receive this report (Gamecock Nation Today) early each morning in your email inbox. Just go to this link to enter your email address. Please contact me if you need assistance. – Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
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Gamecock Nation Today
Helping You Be The Ultimate Gamecock Fan
Friday, March 1, 2019
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Good morning and happy Friday!
March Birthdays. We'd love to know of any bigtime Gamecock fans or athletics department employees who have a March birthday so we can give them a shoutout in this newsletter! Please send us an email.
– Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
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Pictured: Rashad Fenton. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
1. Flip this roster – Part I
When Will Muschamp arrived in Columbia in 2016, he faced a tall order. He was taking over a South Carolina program that had experienced the height of the school’s success just a few years prior under Steve Spurrier, but one that had taken a mighty fall to a three-win team. Muschamp took over a football program rife with issues, and one that had watched as its rivals steadily improved and the talent on its own roster slipped to among the bottom of the conference.
Muschamp’s resume was certainly impressive on the recruiting front, and South Carolina’s biggest issue was a need for a significant talent upgrade – the right kind of talent, at that. After being hired in early December of 2015, Muschamp would have two months to salvage and put together his first recruiting class in Columbia.
In this multi-part look at the roster upgrade that has been underway at USC, we first take a glance at the state of affairs that Muschamp inherited upon taking the job. In future installments, stay tuned for more on that initial class and what has happened since.
Muschamp was set to go to work in the spring of 2016 with the players left from Steve Spurrier’s final team, plus a few players who would enroll early from the eventual 2016 class. The 2016 on-field product would include those, plus some other newcomers from the first crop to sign on under Muschamp.
Here is a breakdown of the players, broken out by star ranking, that Muschamp inherited before anyone from the 2016 class enrolled (either in January or that summer).
Player denoted with “*” either left the program, were dismissed from the program, or received a medical hardship prior to the 2016 regular season.
5-stars - None
4-stars - DB Jordan Diggs, DB Chaz Elder, DB Chris Lammons, DB DJ Smith, DL Shameik Blackshear, DL Kelsey Griffin, DL Abu Lamin, DL Marquavius Lewis, DL Dante Sawyer, DL Dexter Wideman, LB Bryson Allen-Williams, LB Larenz Bryant, LB Skai Moore, LB Sherrod Pittman, OL Zack Bailey, OL DJ Park, OL Christian Pellage, OL Donell Stanley, QB Connor Mitch*, QB Lorenzo Nunez, RB David Williams, TE KC Crosby, WR Jalen Christian*, WR Shaq Davidson*, WR Terry Googer, WR DJ Neal*, WR Christian Owens*
3-stars - DB Toure Boyd*, DB Ali Groves*, DB Al Harris Jr.*, DB Darin Smalls*, DB Rico McWilliams*, DB Jasper Sasser, DB Rashad Fenton, DB Chris Moody, DL Darius English, DL David Johnson*, DL Ulric Jones, DL Taylor Stallworth, DL Boosie Whitlow, LB Jalen Dread, LB Danny Fennell, LB Ernest Hawkins*, LB TJ Holloman, LB Jonathan Walton, LB Antoine Wilder, OL Blake Camper, OL Trey Derouen, OL Cory Helms, OL Alan Knott, OL Cody Waldrop*, OL Malik Young, P Joseph Charlton, QB Michael Scarnecchia, RB Mon Denson, RB Jamari Smith, RB AJ Turner, TE Connor Redmond*, TE Kyle Markway, WR Jerad Washington, WR Deebo Samuel
2-stars - OL Mason Zandi
Notable former walk-ons - WR Matrick Belton, K Elliott Fry, TE Hayden Hurst, QB Perry Orth
– Chris Clark, clark@gamecockcentral.com
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Pictured: Mark Kingston. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
2. Baseball Rivalry Resumed ⚾
It's possibly the best college baseball rivalry in the nation and it resumes this weekend with three games between South Carolina and Clemson.
Noah Campbell, Chris Cullen injury updates. Collyn Taylor with injury updates on Cullen and Campbell prior to the Clemson series. (link)
Gamecocks not feeling any pressure heading into Clemson. The Gamecocks haven’t beaten Clemson in a series since 2014, but heading into this weekend’s rivalry that’s not weighing on their minds. (link)
Probable Pitching Rotations
Friday
SC: Carmen Mlodzinski (So. RHP) 0-0, 4.32 ERA, 8.1 IP
CU: Brooks Crawford (Sr. RHP) 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 10.0 IP
Saturday
SC: Dylan Harley (Fr. LHP) 0-0, 9.45 ERA, 6.2 IP
CU: Davis Sharpe (Fr. RHP) 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 11.0 IP
Sunday
SC: Reid Morgan (Jr. RHP) 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 14.0 IP
CU: Justin Wrobleski (Fr. LHP) 0-1, 6.75 ERA, 9.1 IP, 3 BB
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Pictured: Jamel Cook. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
3. More Spring Football
The Gamecocks practiced Thursday morning, but there were no media opportunities before or after.
The team is set to practice Friday morning and coach Will Muschamp will speak with the media afterward, likely around 11. Stay tuned to Gamecock Central for the latest.
Here is some of our extended coverage from Wednesday's practice:
Who's in the mix at nickelback? Wes Mitchell breaks down who’s in the mix to play nickelback for the Gamecocks next season. (link)
What the coaches saw from Jamel Cook. This time last year, Jamel Cook wasn’t even on campus; he was across the country at Southern Cal waiting for his opportunity that never came in Los Angeles. (link)
Coaches looking for Zacch Pickens to make an impact. When Zacch Pickens stepped onto the Gamecocks' practice field for the first time on Wednesday, he was one of the players watched the most by observers. (link)
ICYMI. Spring practice podcast with Chris Clark, Wes Mitchell and Pearson Fowler recorded after Wednesday's practice. (link)
ICYMI. Spring practice photos: Two galleries from the first spring practice (link)
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Pictured: A.J. Lawson
4. More News & Headlines
Women's Basketball: Gamecocks pull away in the fourth quarter.South Carolina used a 12-0 fourth-quarter run to pull away from Auburn and win 73-66. (link)
Men's Basketball. Lawson out at least a week. Frank Martin announced Thursday that A.J. Lawson, who's dealing with an ankle injury, is out indefinitely and will miss at least two games. (link)
Men's Basketball. Frank Martin on tournament hopes: 'Go win two on the road.' He knows the Gamecocks are fighting an uphill battle right now but he’s focused on the only thing he can be right now, and that’s winning games. (link)
Equestrian. South Carolina freshman Grady Lyman was named SEC Rider of the Month in Equitation on the Flat after going undefeated during the month of February. (link)
Video: Bailey, Daley talk at NFL Combine. The NFL Combine kicked off and is in full swing with a handful of Gamecock players getting their chance to impress scouts and NFL teams before the draft in April. (link)
Deebo Samuel's measurements at the NFL Combine:
– Jackson Fields, jackson@gamecockcentral.com
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Pictured: Zack Bailey
5. Plan your schedule accordingly
Friday, March 1
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6. Signee of the Day - Kevin Harris
With South Carolina's 2019 recruiting class completely signed and locked up, Gamecock Central is spotlighting one prospect each business day for 23 days.
Today's signee of the day is Hinesville (Ga.) Bradwell Institute three-star running back Kevin Harris, who is already enrolled at South Carolina and participating in spring practice.
Other offers: Army, Navy, Middle Tennessee State, among others.
Coach's corner: "Kevin really came and earned his scholarship at camp. We really liked his film. We weren’t totally certain about his top-end speed. He came into camp and ran 4.55 in the 40 and vertical jumped 34 inches, which is really good. He has a really big lower body and is a difficult guy to tackle, when you talk in terms of a power running game and getting better there and adding some toughness to that position." - South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp
"He’s just tough. I think it’s a really underrated trait. A lot of guys kind of put a high premium on how fast a guy runs a 40. I think that’s probably one of the most overrated stats about running backs. I care more about can you break tackles? Can you make guys miss in a short-area space, and can you just be tough from a mental and physical standpoint. He definitely has it in my opinion." - South Carolina running backs coach Thomas Brown
– Wes Mitchell, wes@gamecockcentral.com
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7. This Date in Gamecock History
March 1, 2014 - Carolina upset No. 17 Kentucky at home, USC's first win since 2010 over the Wildcats. Starting at the 7:45 mark of the first half, the Gamecocks went on a 38-16 run through the middle of the second half to put themselves in position for the win. Kentucky got as close as 68-67, but freshman Sindarius Thornwell and senior Brenton Williams made free throws down the stretch to earn the victory. Williams led the scoring for USC with 24 points in 39 minutes, while Thornwell added 14 and Michael Carrera 11.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
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8. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
March 6: SEC WBB Tourney begins (5 days)
March 13: SEC MBB Tourney begins (12)
March 21: Football: USC Pro Timing Day (20)
March 22: Muschamp Coaches Clinic (21)
April 6: Spring football game (36)
April 25: NFL Draft begins (55)
July 15: SEC Media Days begins (136)
Aug. 31: Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (183)
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9. Gamecock Nation Birthdays
Birthdays of Gamecock Central members. (If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.)
Kate Sanderson (swimming, 2018-19) - A standout swimmer in high school in Colorado Springs, Sanderson originally committed to Wisconsin. Sanderson, born in Toronto, qualified for the Canadian National Team and competed for it in the FINA World Junior Championships. She switched her commitment to Carolina and became part of this year's freshman class. Sanderson has immediately had an impact in Columbia - she's won the Women's 1,000 Yard Freestyle four times this season and the Women's 500 Yard Freestyle twice.
10. Another Carolina Podcast (recorded Wed.)
Gamecock Central insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell and host Pearson Fowler discuss the first day of spring practice (link). Topics include:
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11. Around Gamecock Nation
– Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
---------------------------------------
We have breaking news alerts and more newsletters: customize preferences
Spread the word about the Gamecocks and this newsletter! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to a friend or two. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up here to start receiving your own copy.
DID YOU KNOW? You can receive this report (Gamecock Nation Today) early each morning in your email inbox. Just go to this link to enter your email address. Please contact me if you need assistance. – Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
---------------------------------------
Gamecock Nation Today
Helping You Be The Ultimate Gamecock Fan
Friday, March 1, 2019
---------------------------------------
Good morning and happy Friday!
March Birthdays. We'd love to know of any bigtime Gamecock fans or athletics department employees who have a March birthday so we can give them a shoutout in this newsletter! Please send us an email.
– Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
---------------------------------------
Pictured: Rashad Fenton. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
1. Flip this roster – Part I
When Will Muschamp arrived in Columbia in 2016, he faced a tall order. He was taking over a South Carolina program that had experienced the height of the school’s success just a few years prior under Steve Spurrier, but one that had taken a mighty fall to a three-win team. Muschamp took over a football program rife with issues, and one that had watched as its rivals steadily improved and the talent on its own roster slipped to among the bottom of the conference.
Muschamp’s resume was certainly impressive on the recruiting front, and South Carolina’s biggest issue was a need for a significant talent upgrade – the right kind of talent, at that. After being hired in early December of 2015, Muschamp would have two months to salvage and put together his first recruiting class in Columbia.
In this multi-part look at the roster upgrade that has been underway at USC, we first take a glance at the state of affairs that Muschamp inherited upon taking the job. In future installments, stay tuned for more on that initial class and what has happened since.
Muschamp was set to go to work in the spring of 2016 with the players left from Steve Spurrier’s final team, plus a few players who would enroll early from the eventual 2016 class. The 2016 on-field product would include those, plus some other newcomers from the first crop to sign on under Muschamp.
Here is a breakdown of the players, broken out by star ranking, that Muschamp inherited before anyone from the 2016 class enrolled (either in January or that summer).
Player denoted with “*” either left the program, were dismissed from the program, or received a medical hardship prior to the 2016 regular season.
5-stars - None
4-stars - DB Jordan Diggs, DB Chaz Elder, DB Chris Lammons, DB DJ Smith, DL Shameik Blackshear, DL Kelsey Griffin, DL Abu Lamin, DL Marquavius Lewis, DL Dante Sawyer, DL Dexter Wideman, LB Bryson Allen-Williams, LB Larenz Bryant, LB Skai Moore, LB Sherrod Pittman, OL Zack Bailey, OL DJ Park, OL Christian Pellage, OL Donell Stanley, QB Connor Mitch*, QB Lorenzo Nunez, RB David Williams, TE KC Crosby, WR Jalen Christian*, WR Shaq Davidson*, WR Terry Googer, WR DJ Neal*, WR Christian Owens*
3-stars - DB Toure Boyd*, DB Ali Groves*, DB Al Harris Jr.*, DB Darin Smalls*, DB Rico McWilliams*, DB Jasper Sasser, DB Rashad Fenton, DB Chris Moody, DL Darius English, DL David Johnson*, DL Ulric Jones, DL Taylor Stallworth, DL Boosie Whitlow, LB Jalen Dread, LB Danny Fennell, LB Ernest Hawkins*, LB TJ Holloman, LB Jonathan Walton, LB Antoine Wilder, OL Blake Camper, OL Trey Derouen, OL Cory Helms, OL Alan Knott, OL Cody Waldrop*, OL Malik Young, P Joseph Charlton, QB Michael Scarnecchia, RB Mon Denson, RB Jamari Smith, RB AJ Turner, TE Connor Redmond*, TE Kyle Markway, WR Jerad Washington, WR Deebo Samuel
2-stars - OL Mason Zandi
Notable former walk-ons - WR Matrick Belton, K Elliott Fry, TE Hayden Hurst, QB Perry Orth
– Chris Clark, clark@gamecockcentral.com
---------------------------------------
Pictured: Mark Kingston. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
2. Baseball Rivalry Resumed ⚾
It's possibly the best college baseball rivalry in the nation and it resumes this weekend with three games between South Carolina and Clemson.
- Friday, 6 pm, in Clemson, ACC Network Extra
- Saturday, 1 pm, in Greenville, SEC Network+
- Sunday, 12 pm, in Columbia, SEC Network+
Noah Campbell, Chris Cullen injury updates. Collyn Taylor with injury updates on Cullen and Campbell prior to the Clemson series. (link)
Gamecocks not feeling any pressure heading into Clemson. The Gamecocks haven’t beaten Clemson in a series since 2014, but heading into this weekend’s rivalry that’s not weighing on their minds. (link)
Probable Pitching Rotations
Friday
SC: Carmen Mlodzinski (So. RHP) 0-0, 4.32 ERA, 8.1 IP
CU: Brooks Crawford (Sr. RHP) 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 10.0 IP
Saturday
SC: Dylan Harley (Fr. LHP) 0-0, 9.45 ERA, 6.2 IP
CU: Davis Sharpe (Fr. RHP) 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 11.0 IP
Sunday
SC: Reid Morgan (Jr. RHP) 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 14.0 IP
CU: Justin Wrobleski (Fr. LHP) 0-1, 6.75 ERA, 9.1 IP, 3 BB
---------------------------------------
Pictured: Jamel Cook. Credit: Chris Gillespie.
3. More Spring Football
The Gamecocks practiced Thursday morning, but there were no media opportunities before or after.
The team is set to practice Friday morning and coach Will Muschamp will speak with the media afterward, likely around 11. Stay tuned to Gamecock Central for the latest.
Here is some of our extended coverage from Wednesday's practice:
Who's in the mix at nickelback? Wes Mitchell breaks down who’s in the mix to play nickelback for the Gamecocks next season. (link)
What the coaches saw from Jamel Cook. This time last year, Jamel Cook wasn’t even on campus; he was across the country at Southern Cal waiting for his opportunity that never came in Los Angeles. (link)
Coaches looking for Zacch Pickens to make an impact. When Zacch Pickens stepped onto the Gamecocks' practice field for the first time on Wednesday, he was one of the players watched the most by observers. (link)
ICYMI. Spring practice podcast with Chris Clark, Wes Mitchell and Pearson Fowler recorded after Wednesday's practice. (link)
ICYMI. Spring practice photos: Two galleries from the first spring practice (link)
---------------------------------------
Pictured: A.J. Lawson
4. More News & Headlines
Women's Basketball: Gamecocks pull away in the fourth quarter.South Carolina used a 12-0 fourth-quarter run to pull away from Auburn and win 73-66. (link)
Men's Basketball. Lawson out at least a week. Frank Martin announced Thursday that A.J. Lawson, who's dealing with an ankle injury, is out indefinitely and will miss at least two games. (link)
Men's Basketball. Frank Martin on tournament hopes: 'Go win two on the road.' He knows the Gamecocks are fighting an uphill battle right now but he’s focused on the only thing he can be right now, and that’s winning games. (link)
Equestrian. South Carolina freshman Grady Lyman was named SEC Rider of the Month in Equitation on the Flat after going undefeated during the month of February. (link)
Video: Bailey, Daley talk at NFL Combine. The NFL Combine kicked off and is in full swing with a handful of Gamecock players getting their chance to impress scouts and NFL teams before the draft in April. (link)
Deebo Samuel's measurements at the NFL Combine:
- Height: 5-11 2/8
- Weight: 214
- Hand: 10
- Arm: 31 3/8
- Wingspan: 75 1/8
– Jackson Fields, jackson@gamecockcentral.com
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Pictured: Zack Bailey
5. Plan your schedule accordingly
Friday, March 1
- Morning - Football spring practice No. 3 (closed)
- 10 am - Beach Volleyball at FAU
- 11:30 am - Softball vs Ball State (in Tampa)
- 2 pm - Beach Volleyball vs UAB (in Boca Raton)
- 2 pm - Softball at USF
- 5 pm - Women’s Tennis hosts Mississippi State
- 6 pm - Baseball at Clemson, ACC Network Extra
- 6 pm - Men’s Tennis at Arkansas
- NFL Combine. Media interview for Deebo Samuel; working out for Dennis Daley and Zack Bailey
- 8 am - Beach Volleyball vs LSU (in Boca Raton)
- 10:30 am - Softball vs Troy (in Tampa)
- 12 pm - Beach Volleyball vs Florida (in Boca Raton)
- 12:45 pm - Softball vs Western Michigan (in Tampa)
- 1 pm - Equestrian at Georgia
- 1 pm - Baseball vs. Clemson (in Greenville), SEC Network+
- 3:30 pm - Men's Basketball at Missouri, SEC Network
- NFL Combine. Media interview for Bryson Allen-Williams, working out for Deebo Samuel
- 9:15 am - Softball vs Middle Tennessee (in Tampa)
- 12 pm - Baseball hosts Clemson, SEC Network+
- 1 pm - Women’s Tennis hosts Ole Miss
- 1 pm - Men’s Tennis at Tulsa
- 2 pm - Women’s Basketball hosts Mississippi State, ESPN2
- NFL Combine. Media interview for Rashad Fenton, working out for Bryson Allen-Williams
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6. Signee of the Day - Kevin Harris
With South Carolina's 2019 recruiting class completely signed and locked up, Gamecock Central is spotlighting one prospect each business day for 23 days.
Today's signee of the day is Hinesville (Ga.) Bradwell Institute three-star running back Kevin Harris, who is already enrolled at South Carolina and participating in spring practice.
Other offers: Army, Navy, Middle Tennessee State, among others.
Coach's corner: "Kevin really came and earned his scholarship at camp. We really liked his film. We weren’t totally certain about his top-end speed. He came into camp and ran 4.55 in the 40 and vertical jumped 34 inches, which is really good. He has a really big lower body and is a difficult guy to tackle, when you talk in terms of a power running game and getting better there and adding some toughness to that position." - South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp
"He’s just tough. I think it’s a really underrated trait. A lot of guys kind of put a high premium on how fast a guy runs a 40. I think that’s probably one of the most overrated stats about running backs. I care more about can you break tackles? Can you make guys miss in a short-area space, and can you just be tough from a mental and physical standpoint. He definitely has it in my opinion." - South Carolina running backs coach Thomas Brown
– Wes Mitchell, wes@gamecockcentral.com
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7. This Date in Gamecock History
March 1, 2014 - Carolina upset No. 17 Kentucky at home, USC's first win since 2010 over the Wildcats. Starting at the 7:45 mark of the first half, the Gamecocks went on a 38-16 run through the middle of the second half to put themselves in position for the win. Kentucky got as close as 68-67, but freshman Sindarius Thornwell and senior Brenton Williams made free throws down the stretch to earn the victory. Williams led the scoring for USC with 24 points in 39 minutes, while Thornwell added 14 and Michael Carrera 11.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
---------------------------------------
8. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
March 6: SEC WBB Tourney begins (5 days)
March 13: SEC MBB Tourney begins (12)
March 21: Football: USC Pro Timing Day (20)
March 22: Muschamp Coaches Clinic (21)
April 6: Spring football game (36)
April 25: NFL Draft begins (55)
July 15: SEC Media Days begins (136)
Aug. 31: Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (183)
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9. Gamecock Nation Birthdays
Birthdays of Gamecock Central members. (If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.)
- @CliffordII (member since 2013)
Kate Sanderson (swimming, 2018-19) - A standout swimmer in high school in Colorado Springs, Sanderson originally committed to Wisconsin. Sanderson, born in Toronto, qualified for the Canadian National Team and competed for it in the FINA World Junior Championships. She switched her commitment to Carolina and became part of this year's freshman class. Sanderson has immediately had an impact in Columbia - she's won the Women's 1,000 Yard Freestyle four times this season and the Women's 500 Yard Freestyle twice.
- Anton Gunn (football/offensive lineman, 1991-94)
- Kwinton Smith (football/wide receiver, 2012-13)
- Jacob Wallace (baseball/catcher, 2006)
10. Another Carolina Podcast (recorded Wed.)
Gamecock Central insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell and host Pearson Fowler discuss the first day of spring practice (link). Topics include:
- Observations from the open portion of the first spring practice with thoughts on some newcomers.
- Top spring storylines from Wes and Chris.
- Most interesting position battles and what we've learned so far this spring.
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11. Around Gamecock Nation
- March 9 - Charlotte Gamecock Club, Gamecock Yoga & Mimosas (link)
- March 27 - Greenville, Alumni Association President's Reception
- April 23 - Augusta, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- April 24 - Midlands, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- April 29 - Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- April 30 - Greenville, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- May 2 - York, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- May 7 - Sumter, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- May 8 - Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- May 9 - Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
- May 14 - Charleston, Spurs Up Tour featuring Will Muschamp*
– Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
---------------------------------------
We have breaking news alerts and more newsletters: customize preferences
Spread the word about the Gamecocks and this newsletter! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to a friend or two. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up here to start receiving your own copy.
