Muschamp: CB Jamarcus King will have to earn way onto the field

The impact of a defensive back like Jamarcus King might not only be the receiver he could lock down, or how his presence allows the staff to scheme, but in the effect he can have on the position.

King, a 6-foot-1 cornerback out of Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and the top JUCO prospect in the 2016 class, expects to enroll at South Carolina in late May. Should he live up to the hype, he’d have the ability to play the No. 1 corner spot.

But coach Will Muschamp was quick to point out, despite his decorated status as a recruit, King hasn’t earned the top spot.

“He’ll have to create that when he gets on the practice field,” Muschamp said. “That won’t happen until he gets on the practice field, if he earns that opportunity.”

It seems likely King will get an opportunity, as Muschamp has been critical of the secondary throughout the spring and into his statewide “Spurs Up” tour. He’s frequently fielded questions about cornerbacks playing off receivers and repeated the refrain they can’t play tight if they’re not good enough to.

During the spring game, the second set of cornerbacks included walk-ons.

King’s highlight reel opens with a few shots of him giving a receiver a hard jam on the line. Trying to instill a different approach in the secondary has been a Muschamp emphasis, and King’s impending arrival will almost assuredly factor in.

“There’s no doubt, having him in camp before, which we’ve had, he’s got really good tape,” Muschamp said. “He’s got length. He’s got all the critical factors at the position to be successful, certainly will help our football team.”