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*** The collection of Gamecock football players that spoke publicly over the past two media availabilities has been downright fascinating.
On Monday, four offensive players stood at the podium. Running back Kevin Harris was a natural inclusion after the season he had in 2020, plus the fact that he'd inevitably field some questions about his recent minor back surgery and timeline for return.
The other three? All guys from the receiving corps that have not had the careers that they envisioned thus far for a variety of reasons. Hearing from Jalen Brooks, Josh Vann, and Chad Terrell was interesting and eye-opening. On Monday's episode of GC Live, I referred to it as "honesty hour."
It was easy to see that Brooks was not himself for all of 2020. He admitted that he was not "in the best head space" all year after the NCAA took its time clearing him to play. He even used the term "numb" for how he felt in his first year in Columbia.
While he said that everything that happened last season was no excuse for his lack of productivity, Brooks said that he feels "back in his element." Indeed, with the limited viewing windows we have had at practice, Brooks and Dakereon Joyner have been at the front of lines and seemed to establish themselves as vocal leaders in the group.
Vann detailed - with plenty of smiles - how good it felt to be counted on to make plays again. This is a guy that has a chance to return punts for Carolina this season, and he's worked with the first team in three receiver sets. Wide receivers coach Justin Stepp has noted in the past that he really came on the last couple weeks of spring, and there's been a little preseason camp buzz about his progress, too. If Vann can continue building on his confidence, the ability is there to make some plays this season.
*** On Tuesday, it was another intriguing group, this time from the defensive side of the ball. Let's dive in more on a few of them based on what they said and what we're hearing...
*** Rick Sandidge has always been one of the team's biggest personalities, and that came through during his conversation with media.
Even as a senior, Sandidge has an additional year of eligibility past 2021 if he wants because of the NCAA gifting a free year to everyone in 2020. It seems like Sandidge's plan, at least now, is for this to be his final season.
"I've got to go out with a bang," he said.
Sandidge was engaging and humorous but also thoughtful when assessing his past at South Carolina, describing it as a "roller coaster." Remember, when he signed with the Gamecocks in the 2018 class, this was the highest-ranked defensive line prospect since Jadeveon Clowney (2011 class).
He's trimmed up, at 302 pounds, with Sandidge crediting strength and conditioning head Luke Day for the transformation.
There are several players on the roster with ability to impact the team that have not done so in a substantial way, with a variety of reasons behind that. Count Sandidge as one of those. Could this be the year this former four-star - currently working second team - breaks through with significant contributions?
*** We wrote in an earlier edition that edge coach Mike Peterson likes his group. When I asked him how he felt on third and 8 this season - even relative to last year - he couldn't suppress a smile as he said he "felt "really good."
Even returning the SEC's second-leading sack man in JJ Enagabare, the dependable Aaron Sterling, and former five-star Jordan Burch would have made for a quality group. But Peterson now has those and the nation's sack leader in 2020 in Georgia State transfer Jordan Strachan.
There wasn't quite as much of interest from Strachan's media availability, but he's nonetheless one of the more compelling pieces for Clayton White's defense this season. Here's to thinking that Strachan's journey from 190-pound high school DB to 245 SEC defensive end could be talked about a good bit if he ends up making enough plays to garner regional and national attention this season.
*** Jahmar Brown was asked on Tuesday to recap his positional movement since he arrived at Carolina.
"Now that's an interesting question," he laughed.
It took even Brown a couple minutes to accurately recall all the movement. He started out as a WILL backer as a freshman before seeing time as a SAM and DIME linebacker in Will Muschamp's defense. Last year was challenging since he missed all but one game with injury.
This past spring, Brown was also dinged up but spent time learning the nickel spot. Now, he's at safety and seems to have settled in. Brown is of the belief that his body type - he's 212 pounds right now - fits the safety spot quite well.
Brown is also high on the potential of Clayton White's defense to cause some confusion for opposing offenses.
"No one will figure this defense out," he said.
*** This player didn't speak on Tuesday - he did during the preseason media day - but he's nonetheless one I wanted to hit on due to his importance to the defense this season.
I wrote in the previous edition of the Insider Report that developing depth at linebacker would be critical to avoid playing very few guys lots of snaps this season, which we saw in 2020 for multiple reasons.
Well, the starters are important, too. That's where Brad Johnson comes in as the first-team WILL linebacker.
I've always been high on Johnson's potential, but always viewed him as a hand-in-the-ground edge player. Admittedly, the idea of him as a true linebacker is not something I would have foreseen. In truth? I'm not sure he did, either.
I had a chance to speak one-on-one with Johnson during that preseason media day. After joking around about him being on the roster so long that it seemed like he was in one of Lou Holtz's classes, we dove into his progress at a completely new position.
Johnson said that the biggest adjustment for him was learning to play in space, where you're looking at the entire offense rather than just an offensive tackle, and where you're covering guys like MarShawn Lloyd and Nick Muse. He felt the adjustment had been smooth under Clayton White, crediting the DC for helping him learn while noting that the defense wasn't overly complex in terms of responsibilities.
The Upstate native is trimmed down and looks more like a true linebacker. He's a critical piece for the Gamecocks this season.
By the way, Johnson noted that his younger brother is going to be a freshman at Pendleton this year and will have a shot to be a recruited prospect.
*** Any follow-up questions or something I didn't address that you'd like me to address? Let me know.
*** Today's Insider Report is brought to you by Cornerstone Financial Management. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Good Life Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Cornerstone Financial Management and Good Life Advisors, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.
