South Carolina stressing communication with more youth in secondary
Clayton White saw the same thing a lot of those watching the game from the stands saw. And it was a number of players running free at times in the South Carolina secondary.
The Gamecocks made some plays in the secondary–including picking Drake Maye off twice–but there were a few plays where the Tar Heels had open receivers and they either dropped the ball or Maye didn’t find them.
And with injuries mounting in the secondary, communication is going to be even more vital with younger guys inserted into the lineup.
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“We feel like we have some young guys who have to play,” White said. “Our guys do a great job of communicating and understanding each other. But it’s different on the field.”
The Gamecocks’ defensive backfield is a banged-up one with Nick Emmanwori and David Spaulding both injured and doubtful heading into the weekend.
Even if Emmanwori were able to play, three of the Gamecocks’ five starters in the backfield would be true sophomores or younger: Emmanwori and DQ Smith at safety and Keenan Nelson Jr. at nickel.
If Emmanwori doesn’t play, then it’s likely freshman Jalon Kilgore at safety as well with most of the backups freshmen–true or redshirt–like Kajuan Banks, Emory Floyd Jr. and Judge Collier.
Knowing how imperative communication is on the back end, White and the Gamecocks are trying to do more things in practice to get them ready for what Saturday will bring.
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“We’re trying to replicate that as much as we can in practice,” White said. “Coaches are off the field and it’s a little chaotic so guys can communicate through that environment. It’s all about growth and development.”
Banks finished as the Gamecocks’ highest-graded defender Saturday with a 72.8, picking off Maye in his lone target of the game.
Nelson Jr. struggled at times, finishing with a 56.8 grade. He did play his position well in the run game per PFF (72.3 run defense grade).
Nelson allowed five catches on five targets Saturday night for 77 yards and two touchdowns. But White is confident as he continues to gain experience those numbers will improve.
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“You have to ask questions about what technique he used, how did he do it and why. They have to grow from it at the end of the day. The play before it, they did something similar and he had perfect technique and was step for step. They didn’t throw the ball,” White said.
“The next play he wanted to change up the technique. Our mistakes on the back end show up on the scoreboard. We have to be the most disciplined group on the team. Keenan is a disciplined guy and he’ll get better.”
South Carolina was better defensively in the second half, forcing two turnovers and allowing fewer yards per play than in the first half. But the unit still allowed 31 overall points while North Carolina averaged 6.2 yards per play.
“There are things we have to clean up. Some guys were open and some guys were behind guys,” White said. “Definitely got some room to improve.”
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