Observations and insight from Thursday’s preseason practice
The South Carolina Gamecocks hit the fields Thursday morning for their 12th workout of preseason camp.
Below are some observations from the workout.
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— Thursday’s workout was a “shells” workout with helmets and shoulder pads. The early and open portion of the practice did feature some 11 on 11 work, but it wasn’t at a full-speed pace.
From what we’ve been told, it’s been a physical, grueling camp and the staff has really tried to build that physicality needed.
During that 11-on-11 work, we got a decent look at what a two-deep might look like and there have been some interesting shifts here.
First-team offense
QB – Spencer Rattler
RB – Dakereon Joyner
OL (Left to right) – Jaxon Hughes, Trai Jones, Vershon Lee, Nick Gargiulo, Cason Henry
WR – Xavier Legette, Ahmarean Brown, O’Mega Blake
TE – Trey Knox
NOTES:
Two new “starters” at offensive tackle since the last time we were able to watch. Jaxon Hughes and Cason Henry have not only entered the battle at those two spots but have made their presence felt it appears.
Look for that to be ongoing — we had anticipated Henry making a push but weren’t sure when that would happen.
The staff has also worked with Jakai Moore at left guard along with the same combination you see above. In some ways, we know more now than we did a week ago — in terms of the possible combinations — in other ways, we know less because the competition is ongoing and it’s not yet clear how it will shake out.
Carolina wants to start to figure out its best five following Saturday’s scrimmage, so it’s a big few days coming up within the team.
Despite the scare late last week, Trey Knox was back out there and running with the ones. He was wearing a brace but that has to be considered a good sign and he appeared to be moving around with no real limitations.
O’Mega Blake continues to get some time with the 1s in Juice Wells’ absence.
Second-team offense
QB – Luke Doty
RB – Mario Anderson
OL (Left to right) – Tree Babalade, Trovon Baugh, Grayson Mains, JonDarius Morgan, Sidney Fugar
WR – Payton Mangrum, Eddie Lewis, Joseph Morris
TE – Joshua Simon
Third-team offense
QB – LaNorris Sellers
RB – DJay Braswell
OL (Left to right) – Campbell Vandiver, Mac Walters, Ni Mansell, Chase Sweigart, Jatavius Shivers
WR – Tyshawn Russell, Elijah Caldwell, Eriq Rice
TE – Nick Elksnis
NOTES: For the most part, the second and third teams have remained the same, though there’s been a few slight adjustments.
The running back room has started to play out the way one might expect with Mario Anderson repping with the 2s and DJay Braswell with the 3s. It seems they are still limiting Juju McDowell in the 11 on 11 work.
There continues to be a lot of rotation within the second and third group at receiver. This was our first look at Tyshawn Russell with the 3s.
First-team defense
EDGE – Jordan Strachan, J.T. Geer
DL – Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley
LB – Pup Howard, Debo Williams
CB – Marcellas Dial, Emory Floyd
S – Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith
NICK – Keenan Nelson Jr.
NOTES: O’Donnell Fortune was not in there during 11 on 11s and Emory Floyd slid into his spot. That likely means Floyd is “next man up” at the position behind the two starters which could mean a good sign for his camp so far.
Stone Blanton is back full-go and with the 1s as he and Debo Williams continue to hold off Mo Kaba who was back working in team drills but with the second group.
It’s also worth mentioning that JT Geer was with the first group. Keenan Nelson Jr. was with the first team at nickel with David Spaulding out.
Second-team defense
EDGE – Tyreek Johnson, Desmond Umeozulu
DL – T.J. Sanders, Nick Barrett
LB – Mo Kaba, Colin Bryant
CB – Vicari Swain, Judge Collier
S – Jalon Kilgore, King-Demenian Ford
NICK – Kajuan Banks
Third-team defense
EDGE – Donovan Westmoreland, Terrell Dawkins
DL – Jamaal Whyce, Elijah Davis
LB – Ronnie Porter, Andrew Colasurdo
CB – Zahbari Sandy, Jace Blackshear
S – Joseph Byrnes, BJ Gibson
NICK – Landon Grier
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Practice observations from Collyn Taylor
— Some of the bigger shifts with the first team since the last time media saw practice was Emory Floyd, Keenan Nelson and JT Geer taking first-team reps on defense. Floyd was opposite Marcellas Dial at corner while Nelson was at nickel and Geer opposite Jordan Strachan on the edge. Stone Blanton was the Gamecocks’ linebackers on the first team.
Some other notes on the defensive depth chart during team period early: TJ Sanders and Nick Barrett were the second-team defensive tackles, Vicari Swain was a second-team cornerback and Jalon Kilgore was also working with the second team. Bryan Thomas was on the second team EDGE. Mo Kaba and Colin Bryant were the second-team linebackers.
— A guy that caught my eye in that team portion was Judge Collier, who was on the second team defense. Luke Doty threw a good deep ball downfield and Collier was able to break it up and stop the catch from happening.
— Offensively, the first team offensive line stayed the same outside of Jaxson Hughes and Cason Henry playing tackle with the first team. The offense was in 11 personnel (one tight end, one running back) with Trey Knox and Dakereon Joyner the first teamers. O’Mega Blake, Ahmarean Brown and Xavier Legette were the first-team receivers.
— LaNorris Sellers, Tyshawn Russell and Djay Braswell were notable freshmen working with the third team. Braswell had a nice run in the team period media saw, and Sellers had a great throw on a go ball that was ultimately broken up on a better play. Sellers had a few great throws in individual work, too, throwing on air to receivers.
— A lot’s been made of Spencer Rattler and him having a good camp, and it’s easy to see why. There was a ton of communication from him and new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains during individual work and Rattler had some great throws on air, too, during those individual work. He had one that was on a dime and hit Nick Elksnis in stride about 20 to 30 yards downfield.
— The Gamecocks are working a few guys at center during camp and here’s how it shook out in individual work: Rattler with Vershon Lee, Grayson Mains with Doty, JonDarius Morgan with Tanner Bailey, Nick Gargiulo with Colten Gauthier, Ni Mansell with Sellers.
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