From Inside the Gamecocks The Morning Show: John Whittle of TheBigSpur.com joins Jamie Bradford and Mike Morgan for his weekly “On All Things” segment, which is most Mondays.
Below is computer-generated summary of the segment.
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team is in the midst of their preseason practice, gearing up for their season opener against the Virginia Tech Hokies in Atlanta. With less than three weeks to go, there’s plenty of buzz surrounding the team’s progress and how various position groups are shaping up.
One of the most encouraging developments has been the performance of the defense, particularly the front seven. Despite losing several key players to the NFL draft and free agency, the defense seems to be ahead of schedule. There’s a great sense of positivity coming from the program regarding how the front six or seven are shaping up. The interior of the defensive line, in particular, has been a source of optimism.
Defensive line coach Travian Robertson, who’s been described as having a lot of the ‘law dog’ in him (a reference to former coach Brad Lawing), has been implementing a tough, no-nonsense approach. This was evident in a recent practice session where Robertson was observed getting after players, demanding high standards and correcting even the smallest details. This approach seems to be paying dividends, with the defensive line showing promising signs of progress.
The linebacker corps has also been receiving praise, contributing to the overall positive outlook for the defense. While it’s still early days, and the true test will come when the team faces live opposition, there’s cautious optimism about the defense’s ability to compete at a high level.
In the secondary, despite losing several starters, there’s confidence in defensive backs coach Torrian Gray’s ability to develop talent and put together a quality unit. Gray has earned a high level of trust and respect, with a track record of quickly getting players into the right spots and coaching them up effectively.
On the offensive side of the ball, the running back situation is still somewhat fluid. While Rahsul Faison’s eligibility remains uncertain, there’s confidence in the depth of the running back room. The coaching staff believes there’s enough SEC-caliber talent on the roster to ensure that the running game won’t be a major limiting factor this season, regardless of Faison’s status.
The wide receiver group is still a work in progress, with rotations and starting lineups likely to evolve over the first few games of the season. Early indications suggest that experienced players like Nyck Harbor, Jared Brown, Dre Jacobs, and Mazeo Bennett may get the bulk of the snaps initially, especially given the challenging season opener away from home.
Perhaps the most positive news has come from the offensive line. Compared to the same point last season, the unit appears to be significantly ahead in their development. The addition of transfer Boaz Stanley at center has been particularly noteworthy. Stanley has impressed with his physical attributes, communication skills, and is emerging as a potential leader for the offense.
The depth and experience of the offensive line group have drawn praise from observers. With multiple players who have started games both at South Carolina and elsewhere, there’s a sense that this could be the strongest offensive line the Gamecocks have fielded since their 11-win seasons. The ability to field two complete units of competent SEC-level starters in practice scenarios is a luxury the team hasn’t had in recent years.
In the kicking game, there’s an ongoing competition for various roles. Max Kelley and Mason Love appear to be the frontrunners, with the possibility of splitting duties across field goals, extra points, and kickoffs. Head coach Shane Beamer has emphasized that the team now has ‘true football guys’ in these specialist positions, a departure from past seasons where kickers and punters might have been less integrated into the overall football program.
At the center of all the preseason buzz is quarterback LaNorris Sellers. As a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, Sellers has garnered significant national attention. However, reports suggest that he’s handling the increased expectations with characteristic poise. Teammates and coaches have praised Sellers’ measured approach, noting that he doesn’t get too high or too low emotionally.
Sellers’ demeanor in press conferences and on the sideline remains consistent with what we saw last season, suggesting that the additional pressure isn’t affecting his preparation or mindset. There’s a sense that Sellers is using the experiences from last season, including some crucial fumbles, as motivation to improve his game further.
The team has another scrimmage scheduled for the coming weekend, which will provide further opportunities for players to stake their claims for starting positions and playing time. As the season opener against Virginia Tech approaches, the coaching staff will begin to narrow down their decisions on personnel and game planning.
Off the field, there are indications of positive developments in the program’s financial backing. A press conference with South Carolina and Blanchard Machinery is scheduled, with expectations of a significant sponsorship announcement. This comes on the heels of news about record fundraising numbers for the athletics department in the past academic year.
Catch Inside the Gamecocks The Morning Show every Monday through Friday starting at 10 a.m. on the Chief Sports App, YouTube or X. Podcast version of The Morning Show drops no later than 4 p.m. on Apple and Spotify.
