Gamecocks’ up-and-comers get first looks in early bowl practices

South Carolina football center Alan Knott called it a little treat for the team’s veterans.

The first three bowl practices, which started Saturday, were only for younger players. The veterans didn’t have to go. Yet around the lifting and conditioning that’s still required, some veterans found their way to the practice field.

To see the next generation of Gamecocks, including one who Knott could see taking his spot next year.

“Eric Douglas I think is going to be — as long as he has a good offseason — I think he’ll be a contender for a starting spot next year for sure,” Knott said. “And then (Sadarius Hutcherson) also. Sadarius, he’s a baller. He’ll be a starter here for the next few years definitely.”

Douglas is a 6-foot-4, 308-pound lineman who currently is redshirting. He played tackle in high school, but has spent time on the interior in Columbia.

Hutcherson is a powerful, quick guard who showed promise in replacement duty for senior Cory Helms. Both Douglas and Hutcherson will be in the mix when USC replaces Knott and Helms after this season.

Knott admitted he didn’t 100 percent sit out the early practices.

“Actually, me and Cory, we’ve been going out and just doing the first three individual periods,” Knott said. “Just get our feet wet because you know we have been off for 20 days.”

Cornerback Chris Lammons also got a chance to take in the practices, and came away feeling good about USC’s future.

“It’s always good seeing the younger guys getting in reps,” Lammons said. “DBs, wide receivers, just as a team grow.”

The Gamecocks veterans are set to rejoin practice Tuesday for a run of four before the team breaks for Christmas.

Knott said there was something about watching the younger players at work, something he knew well.

“It’s like looking in a mirror, you know?” Knott said. “From back whenever I was in that situation. I just think about the same mistakes that I made and some of that stuff on the field. All you can really do is just try to help them out and give them a few pointers that were given to you at that time and just hope it sticks.”

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Gamecocks’ up-and-comers get first looks in early bowl practices."