B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
Gamecock Nation Today
Helping You Be The Ultimate Gamecock Fan
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019
Good morning.
It's a big night for the men's basketball team as it takes on Ole Miss. The Gamecocks and Rebels are battling for the fourth seed in the SEC Tournament.
We have a prediction contest (link) for the game. Enter to win a $25 gift card to Garnet & Black Traditions.
Thank you for being a part of the Gamecock Central community. If you like our newsletter a little bit (or a lot), please tell your buddies to sign up here. Seriously, we're really asking you to tell fellow humans.
– Brian Shoemaker, shoe@gamecockcentral.com
Pictured: Hank Manos
1. Key position battles this spring
The start of South Carolina's 2019 spring practice is a mere eight days away, which means it's time to officially turn the page on the 2018 season and look ahead to this season's squad. While position battles often go through the summer and into fall practice, make no mistake that spring practice is a huge opportunity for players to get the leg up on their competition at positions that are up for grabs.
Offensive line (times two)
Moving on: LT Dennis Daley, LG Zack Bailey
Returning starters Donell Stanley, Sadarius Hutcherson and Dylan Wonnum will almost surely be starters again in 2019. Where exactly they'll line up will likely be determined by the progress of several of their teammates. Wonnum, who manned the right tackle spot for the second half of last season, could either play there or slide to left tackle. Hutcherson could play guard again or slide out to right tackle (with Wonnum at left in that scenario). And Stanley is capable of playing guard or center.
Who is most likely to step into the other two roles? If the bowl game is any indication, then Hank Manos enters the offseason in the lead to take over one spot. With Bailey out of the game with an injury, Manos started at center, which slid Stanley back to guard where he played for most of his career. Former walk-on Chandler Farrell will also compete for the center position.
If Hutcherson then were to slide out to tackle, then the next guard in line could be redshirt freshman Jovaughn Gwyn. The former four-star had already moved into a second-string role early in his true freshman season before a foot injury ended his campaign. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Rhodes has also showed flashes of being a future starter during his first two years in Columbia. The spring could offer opportunities for redshirt sophomores Eric Douglas and Jordon Carty to enter the offensive line conversation as well.
Defensive end
Moving on: Shameik Blackshear
South Carolina returns several players who played snaps at defensive end last year: D.J. Wonnum, Keir Thomas, Aaron Sterling and J.J. Enagbare. Add in five-star Zacch Pickens and JUCO transfer Devontae Davis, who are already on campus, and the position isn't so much of a concern for next season, but more of a spot that could feature an all-out battle for playing time.
As good as that group is, they'll need to all see the field in some way, so the versatility those players possess should help the staff sort out the best combination. It seems likely that Wonnum will slide back to the BUCK where he's played most of his career. Thomas has alternated back and forth between end and tackle for his entire career. And Enagbare's future may be more at the defensive tackle spot, though some of those decisions depend on what type of front Carolina is running at any given time. Sterling is likely an end all the way and played a bunch before a season-ending injury.
Let's be honest, though, a lot of eyes will be on Pickens and the staff will no doubt challenge him to pick up the scheme quickly and see if he can move up the depth chart in a hurry. The good news is that all the guys on this list are talented and all will fit into the plan somewhere.
Cornerback/Nickelback
Moving on: Rashad Fenton, Keisean Nixon
Make no mistake, sophomores Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu are virtual locks to start in the secondary, whether both play the two true cornerback spots or Horn still rotates to the nickel position when it's on the field as he did as a freshman. The real question here is, who is the third player in the mix when the Gamecocks are in the nickel package?
The wildcard could be junior Jamel Cook, who sat out last season after transferring in from Southern Cal, and brings size and athleticism to the position. It's also possible that Jamyest Williams returns to the nickel where he played as a freshman before rotating to safety last season.
But the equation will change significantly this summer when South Carolina's four-man defensive back class of Cam Smith, Jammie Robinson, Johnny Dixon and Shilo Sanders arrives in Columbia. All four will have an opportunity to play in 2019, but keep an eye on Robinson in particular as he might be the most ready to step in at the nickel.
Wide receiver
Moving on: Deebo Samuel
South Carolina returns starters Bryan Edwards and Shi Smith at receiver, but its lone loss is a big one. Filling the playmaking shoes of Samuel will not be an easy task.
Head coach Will Muschamp hasn't commented recently on the progress of OrTre Smith's recovery after knee surgery cut short his sophomore season as it relates to his availability this spring. But Smith is expected to be back in the Gamecocks' rotation this season. His toughest competition for a starting spot will likely come in the form of sophomore Josh Vann, who will look to make a big jump in his second season after playing quite a bit as a true freshman.
Senior Chavis Dawkins also returns, as does redshirt freshman Chad Terrell, who was slowed last season while still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last offseason. Redshirt junior Randrecous Davis will look to re-enter the mix after dealing with a toe injury for most of last year, while redshirt freshman Darius Rush is also now fully healthy and will look to enter the rotation.
– Wes Mitchell, wes@gamecockcentral.com
Pictured: Cartavious "Tank" Bigsby
2. Breaking down the recruiting calendar and rules
The NCAA’s football recruiting calendar and rules went through an overhaul in 2018, resulting in changes such as an early signing period, spring official visits, and summer camp limitations, among other things. Gamecock Central provides a primer here for the remainder of the calendar year of what the rules allow for in terms of prospect campus visits, coaches hitting the road, camp workouts, and communications.
Right now, we are in the midst of a quiet period, which means that prospects may visit campus but coaches are not allowed to visit prospects off campus. This period lasts until April 14.
Beginning on April 1 until the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June, which this year falls on June 23, 2020 prospects can take official visits to campus. We have seen Will Muschamp and his staff utilize spring official visits the past two recruiting cycles. Those prospects are also permitted to take officials during another window beginning on the opening day of classes their senior year of high school. The limit is still five official visits in total, one to each school.
The date of April 15 triggers an evaluation period in which college coaches (just assistants, the head coach is prohibited during this time) may visit high schools and junior colleges to scout and evaluate players. That time frame lasts until May 31.
Coaches are also allowed to place one total phone call to 2020 prospects (or a family member) any time from April 15-May 31, notwithstanding exceptions related to campus visits. Coaches and prospects can still talk on the phone at other points, so long as the prospect initiates the phone call.
There is a month-long dead period from June 24 until July 24 in which no in-person contact, either on or off campus, is permitted between coaches and prospects. There’s a one-week open period (campus visits allowed) after that, then the dead period begins once again from August 1-31.
The batch of rule changes instituted in 2018 scaled back the total number of summer camp dates schools are allowed to hold. During the month of June, Will Muschamp and his staff will host thousands of summer campers in Columbia for the maximum of 10 allotted camp dates.
Coaches may make one phone call per week to 2020 prospects beginning in September, when a contact period is not ongoing.
During the season, the so-called contact period runs in 2018 from November 25 until December 16, allowing coaches opportunities to make school and home visits with 2020 prospects and to check in on underclassmen at schools. Coaches are allowed to make phone calls to 2020 prospects or their family members at their discretion during this time period.
– Chris Clark, clark@gamecockcentral.com
Pictured: Brett Kerry. Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. From Monday
Kerry big piece of Gamecocks' dominant opening weekend bullpen.Brett Kerry knew something was up heading into the winter break. He wasn’t pitching up to his capabilities, and left campus after a sit-down with the coaching staff when he was told something needed to change. Now, after what he called an “unbelievable” opening weekend, it seems like something from that conversation stuck. (link)
Martin's message to freshmen entering the stretch run. Chris Silva knows he and the two other seniors on the team, Hassani Gravett and Tre Campbell, only have a guaranteed seven games left in their college careers, and Frank Martin knows it too. (link)
Podcast with Joe Rhett: Huge home matchup Tuesday. Gamecock great Joe Rhett discusses South Carolina's win over Texas A&M and a huge matchup with Ole Miss. (link)
The Insider Report. Recruiting notes on several targets, including four-star running back Tank Bigsby. The South Carolina coaching staff once again hosted him for an unofficial visit over the weekend, with Bigsby electing to stay overnight into Sunday. More about his and other visits. (subscription)
In-state linebacker hoping for offer from USC. As soon as Darryle Waresat down to eat breakfast during his unofficial visit in Columbia on Saturday, he and his family were greeted by two Gamecock football staffers of interest. (subscription)
Softball. Drotar named SEC Player of the Week. Cayla Drotar was named SEC Player of the Week. She posted a team-best 12 RBI at the plate and went 2-0 in the circle to help the Gamecocks sweep the Gamecock Invitational. (link)
Women's Golf. Gamecocks in fifth after two rounds. The No. 16 women's golf matched its first-round, 6-over 294 in its second round of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship and sits in fifth place. Junior Ana Pelaez led the Gamecocks in the second round and moved into a tie for sixth with freshman teammate Emily Price among others, four shots off the individual leader. (link)
Men's Golf. Gamecocks tied for fourth after 36. South Carolina tied with Ole Miss and Sam Houston State for the lowest team score of the day on Monday, shooting 290 (+2) in the second round of the All-American Intercollegiate. The Gamecocks are tied for fourth with Charlotte heading into Tuesday's final round. Senior Ryan Stachler paced Carolina with a 2-under 70. (link)
Softball. Program looking to recognize 'super people.' If you know somebody who is doing something super in the community, the Gamecocks want to recognize them at a home game at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field while also having the individuals throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. (link)
Pictured: Chris Silva, Frank Martin. Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. Plan your schedule accordingly
Tuesday, Feb. 19
- All day, Swimming & Diving, SEC Championships
- All day, Men's Golf, All-American Intercollegiate
- All day, Women's Golf, Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate
- 4 p.m., Baseball, hosts Presbyterian, no TV/video
- 7 p.m., Men's Basketball, hosts Ole Miss, SECN
- All day, Swimming & Diving, SEC Championships
- 4 p.m., Baseball, hosts Presbyterian, SECN+
- 6 p.m., Softball, hosts Charleston Southern
5. Signee of the Day - Jahmar Brown
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 Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star linebacker Jahmar Brown, who committed to the Gamecocks last May.
Other offers: Florida, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pitt, USF, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCF and Virginia Tech, among others.
Coach's corner: "As a player, Jahmar Brown is blessed with innate size, strength, athleticism, and instinctive cat-like reflexes. With that said, his most impressive attributes are character traits, mature leadership, and holistic intellectual skills. He’s a very well-rounded person, which has enabled him to be a productive student of the game and emphatic role model." - St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Roger Harriott
– Wes Mitchell, wes@gamecockcentral.com
6. This Date in Gamecock History
February 19, 1960 - The Gamecocks upset N.C. State in the then annual doubleheader in Charlotte that featured South Carolina, North Carolina, N.C. State and Clemson. USC trailed 33-29 at the half before a second-half rally resulted in the win. Four players scored in double figures - Art Whisnant (17), Bobby Robinson (15), Ronnie Johnson (14) and Bob Frantz (11). Mike Callahan added nine points and dominated the boards in the game. The win improved USC's record in the ACC to 4-7 while State dropped to 8-8.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
7. Key Dates (Countdown)
Feb. 27: Spring football practice begins (8 days)
March 6: SEC WBB Tourney begins (15)
March 13: SEC MBB Tourney begins (22)
March 22: Muschamp Coaches Clinic (31)
April 6: Spring football game (46)
April 25: NFL Draft begins (65)
July 15: SEC Media Days begins (146)
Sept. 1: Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (194)
8. Gamecock Nation Birthdays
Gamecock Central members (from Monday): None
If you have a Gamecock Central account (free or pay), you can add your birthday here.
Hutch Eckerson (OT, 2006-10). Eckerson signed with South Carolina over N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech, and started five games as a true freshman in 2006 at left tackle. He redshirted in 2007 then was named Most Improved Offensive Lineman in the spring of 2008. He played in seven games that fall,making two starts. Eckerson took over as the starting right tackle in the fourth game of the 2009 season and kept the job for the next 12 games, including starting a pair of bowl games. He spent time with the San Diego Chargers (2011) and New Orleans Saints (2012).
Freddie Brown (wide receiver, 2005-08)
Steve Cook (outfielder, 1975-76)
Jamal Hayes (wide receiver, 2006)
Ryan Leeton (men's soccer, 2003-06)
Carmen Mlodzinski (pitcher, 2018-19)
Schuyler Reardon (men's soccer, 2006-09)
Adam Yates (kicker, 2008-12)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
9. Around Gamecock Nation
- Feb. 23 - Gamecocks at Mardi Gras Party, New Orleans (link)
- Feb. 24 - Charleston Gamecock Club Oyster Roast (link)
- Feb. 25 - Atlanta, Alumni Association President's Reception (link)
- Feb. 27 - Greenville, Alumni Association President's Reception
- March 9 - Charlotte Gamecock Club, Gamecock Yoga & Mimosas (link)
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.
