Now that South Carolina football’s preseason camp has begun, we have more to report from behind the scenes of the program.
Today’s Insider Report is brought to you by Post Up Careers ! Did you know that you have about 6 seconds to make an impression on a hiring manager when applying for a job? And that your resume is the marketing piece that you must make sure is up to date, highlights your skills and achievements, and will get you past applicant tracking systems?
Post Up Careers can guide you through this process with their customized resume services. Get personalized coaching to up your game in the job market with Post Up Careers, a company whose mission is to help you navigate all aspects of your career: resume writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn optimization, and much more. Make your talents stand out with the help of a company owned by a lifelong Gamecocks fan and alumnus – visit PostUpCareers.com or email franklin@postupcareers.com today.
— Three practices are now in the books, and the GamecockCentral team was able to have a couple short viewing windows during the first two.
By the way, check out some observations from those sessions here and here.
Let’s begin with a bit on the Gamecocks’ offensive line, a group that must take a significant step forward in 2024 to have the type of season that everyone hopes for in Columbia.
We’ve always said that this is a unit that will be better this season simply by being healthier – so long as it stays that way – being a bit older, and having a bit more depth. The key question is how much better can the five guys up front be this season?
In having numerous conversations in the last several days, we are picking up a sense that this unit could be on track for a more noticeable improvement this season.
The vibe is a little different this year. Some guys that are not being discussed as much – Cason Henry at right tackle, plus interior transfers Kaamar Bell and Torricelli Simpkins III, to name a few – are drawing some buzz.
As has been said often, anyone in “prove it” mode is well within their rights with this group. But it is obvious that there’s more depth and more talent overall in this unit right now, and that’s led to more competition.
— In his pre-camp depth chart piece, Wes Mitchell had Mazeo Bennett running with the ones. Again, too early to know how it will shake out for the Old Dominion game or even midway through the season.
But we’ve heard enough so far to say that Bennett is doing quite well in practice in year one.
“He does things that a freshman shouldn’t be able to do,” one of the South Carolina offensive players told me during media day last week.
— Here’s to thinking that transfer Demetrius Knight is going to end up being an important player for the Gamecocks this year, both at linebacker and on special teams. He’s been given kudos by multiple people we’ve spoken with at various points. That’s continued in the early going of camp.
— Joe DeCamillis has several starting slots on special teams that he will continue to evaluate throughout the preseason. The only players that have roles locked down are Kai Kroeger at punter and Hunter Rogers at longsnapper.
Mason Love is working as a punter and a kickoff man, so it will be interesting to see if he can get on the field early in the latter department first.
The placekicker spot is a key one, and Alex Herrera will continue to battle some others there.
Several players are going to continue their auditions in the return game, too.
It’s too early to know how it will sort out, but I will mention a few names DeCamillis threw out at media day last week.
He confirmed Nyck Harbor is going to see some practice reps returning kicks to see where that goes. He mentioned Juju McDowell’s past experience returning kicks. He also mentioned Vicari Swain’s high school exploits fielding punts, as well as Jalon Kilgore, who handled that last season for the Gamecocks.
Wes had a list of the players working in return drills from practice number two here.
The post Insider Report: Team notes as preseason camp rolls along appeared first on On3 .
Local South Carolina State
Most Popular
Comments / 0