RECRUITING NOTES
South Carolina made a major move with four-star defensive back Trajan Bandy out of Miami following his weekend visit that includes taking in the Spurs Up Day activities last month. As time has elapsed since that trip, I continue to hear that USC is a major factor with Bandy. The primary challenger at this point is hometown Miami. Those two schools are basically the top two behind the scenes for Bandy, who has all but eliminated Oklahoma (the program he was formerly committed to) at this point. Miami is in hot pursuit as well, so this one is shaping up to be a Canes/Gamecocks battle down the stretch.
I spoke with another source tied into the recruitment of TJ Moore (but not tied into South Carolina) and asked about the four-star’s recent pledge to the Gamecocks. This person had been under the impression leading into Moore’s announcement that he would ultimately pick Tennessee. Asked how the Gamecocks got it done, he told me: “Great recruiting (by USC) and a chance to play with Eric Douglas on the offensive line.”
TEAM NOTES
During Thursday morning’s practice, Brandon McIlwain and Perry Orth continued receiving first-team reps. It wouldn't be a big surprise to see Jake Bentley will get an opportunity to step up to get some first-team work (not sure if that will definitely happen), but the other two certainly have the advantage at this point. It was huge for McIlwain’s chances to be able to enroll back in January and go through spring football, as he was able to dive into the offensive playbook and get reps on the field within Kurt Roper’s offense. McIlwain has shown a strong arm and flashed big-play potential during his opportunities and Orth has done a good job of running the offense and delivering the ball as well.
I was also told that Lorenzo Nunez has shown a good bit of potential working out at the receiver position. He looks good running around and can catch the ball, with some natural ability on display. He’s still learning nuances like route running, which he’ll improve on with time.
A bit more here to expand on Will Muschamp’s comments on junior running back David Williams: it all goes back to consistency. The coaching staff wants to see more consistent play – and effort – from Williams. The effort of course is the biggest thing, but taking advantage of his skill set is also part of the equation. Some of the returns I’ve received indicate that Williams has not been as reliable as needed catching the ball out of the backfield, either.
Wes Mitchell offered up some thoughts on special teams in his latest batch of team scoop, and I’d like to piggyback off some of those notes and expand a bit with some of my own…
I can certainly confirm that the Gamecocks did not place as great an emphasis on special teams under Steve Spurrier in terms of how much time and how many resources were consistently devoted to it. That fact, plus some personnel issues on the roster make what USC did last season on special teams worthy of greater appreciation.
The Gamecocks were 30th nationally in kickoff return yardage and actually broke one for a touchdown for the first time in ages last season. USC also ranked 7th nationally in net punting, although the Gamecocks were poor in the punt return department. Overall, the special teams were the bright spot, and the most consistent unit, for USC last season.
Elliott Fry was a strong performer last season, going 20-28 on field goals with just three of those misses coming from 50+ yards (he hit a pair of 50+ yarders) and just one miss from the 30-39 yard range. Sean Kelly was a model of consistency as a punter. The Gamecocks lose Landon Ard as a kickoff man, and Will Muschamp stated recently that he hopes redshirt freshman Joseph Charlton can win that job to take some of the strain off Elliott Fry. Fry and Kelly deserve a lot of credit for helping the Gamecocks to make special teams an area of strength, and it’s good news for the team that those two return.
Muschamp has repeatedly said that he will make special teams what it is in terms of prioritization – one third of the game of football. Looking back at last season, US returns every player who featured on the field goal/extra point team, all but three from the kickoff team, all but three from the kick return team, and all but four from the punt return team. In general, USC did not utilize a lot of starters on those teams, however. That’s something that you could see change under Will Muschamp, as he’s made clear he’ll use the best players. The fact that plenty returns from last year’s group, plus increased attention/personnel to special teams, gives hope that the Gamecocks could turn in another strong season on special teams or improve further.
South Carolina made a major move with four-star defensive back Trajan Bandy out of Miami following his weekend visit that includes taking in the Spurs Up Day activities last month. As time has elapsed since that trip, I continue to hear that USC is a major factor with Bandy. The primary challenger at this point is hometown Miami. Those two schools are basically the top two behind the scenes for Bandy, who has all but eliminated Oklahoma (the program he was formerly committed to) at this point. Miami is in hot pursuit as well, so this one is shaping up to be a Canes/Gamecocks battle down the stretch.
I spoke with another source tied into the recruitment of TJ Moore (but not tied into South Carolina) and asked about the four-star’s recent pledge to the Gamecocks. This person had been under the impression leading into Moore’s announcement that he would ultimately pick Tennessee. Asked how the Gamecocks got it done, he told me: “Great recruiting (by USC) and a chance to play with Eric Douglas on the offensive line.”
TEAM NOTES
During Thursday morning’s practice, Brandon McIlwain and Perry Orth continued receiving first-team reps. It wouldn't be a big surprise to see Jake Bentley will get an opportunity to step up to get some first-team work (not sure if that will definitely happen), but the other two certainly have the advantage at this point. It was huge for McIlwain’s chances to be able to enroll back in January and go through spring football, as he was able to dive into the offensive playbook and get reps on the field within Kurt Roper’s offense. McIlwain has shown a strong arm and flashed big-play potential during his opportunities and Orth has done a good job of running the offense and delivering the ball as well.
I was also told that Lorenzo Nunez has shown a good bit of potential working out at the receiver position. He looks good running around and can catch the ball, with some natural ability on display. He’s still learning nuances like route running, which he’ll improve on with time.
A bit more here to expand on Will Muschamp’s comments on junior running back David Williams: it all goes back to consistency. The coaching staff wants to see more consistent play – and effort – from Williams. The effort of course is the biggest thing, but taking advantage of his skill set is also part of the equation. Some of the returns I’ve received indicate that Williams has not been as reliable as needed catching the ball out of the backfield, either.
Wes Mitchell offered up some thoughts on special teams in his latest batch of team scoop, and I’d like to piggyback off some of those notes and expand a bit with some of my own…
I can certainly confirm that the Gamecocks did not place as great an emphasis on special teams under Steve Spurrier in terms of how much time and how many resources were consistently devoted to it. That fact, plus some personnel issues on the roster make what USC did last season on special teams worthy of greater appreciation.
The Gamecocks were 30th nationally in kickoff return yardage and actually broke one for a touchdown for the first time in ages last season. USC also ranked 7th nationally in net punting, although the Gamecocks were poor in the punt return department. Overall, the special teams were the bright spot, and the most consistent unit, for USC last season.
Elliott Fry was a strong performer last season, going 20-28 on field goals with just three of those misses coming from 50+ yards (he hit a pair of 50+ yarders) and just one miss from the 30-39 yard range. Sean Kelly was a model of consistency as a punter. The Gamecocks lose Landon Ard as a kickoff man, and Will Muschamp stated recently that he hopes redshirt freshman Joseph Charlton can win that job to take some of the strain off Elliott Fry. Fry and Kelly deserve a lot of credit for helping the Gamecocks to make special teams an area of strength, and it’s good news for the team that those two return.
Muschamp has repeatedly said that he will make special teams what it is in terms of prioritization – one third of the game of football. Looking back at last season, US returns every player who featured on the field goal/extra point team, all but three from the kickoff team, all but three from the kick return team, and all but four from the punt return team. In general, USC did not utilize a lot of starters on those teams, however. That’s something that you could see change under Will Muschamp, as he’s made clear he’ll use the best players. The fact that plenty returns from last year’s group, plus increased attention/personnel to special teams, gives hope that the Gamecocks could turn in another strong season on special teams or improve further.
