End of 2016 is motivating USC defense as camp is set to get underway
The end of the 2016 season could not have gone much worse for South Carolina’s defense.
The Gamecocks allowed 102 combined points in losses to Clemson and South Florida in the final two games of the year, back-to-back performances that provided motivation for USC throughout the offseason.
Carolina defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson said Wednesday night at the South Carolina Coaches for Charity event in Greenville that his unit knows it must take a big step forward this season.
“We all have to get better. That isn’t just the players. That’s from everyone in the building. From the nutrition to the weight lifting to the football to the equipment, that’s everyone. Coach (Will) Muschamp holds us accountable for that, getting better every single day,” Robinson said. “I think we’re doing a good job of that, and we’ve got to continue to do it. Obviously, those last two games hurt. We need to come back and bounce back and start the right way.”
South Carolina players will report for fall camp July 30 before beginning practice July 31.
Robinson, who is also USC’s defensive backs coach, is eager to see some young players get on the practice field and get to work.
“Obviously, you’ve got Jamyest Williams, a guy who was highly recruited. He was a really good player and had a really good offseason. We’re excited to see what he can do,” Robinson said. “Tavyn Jackson is another kid who came in and did a really good job from Tallahassee. We’re excited about all of those guys, and I can’t wait to get the guys on the field.”
While Williams, Jackson and other young players were impressive during summer workouts, Robinson said the true test comes next week when practice gets started.
“There’s a lot of things you can’t really tell during an offseason workout,” Robinson said. “Maybe they can run, maybe they can change direction, but when the ball comes in the air, do they get big eyes? That’s something you can’t find out until you see it.”
It has been the goal of Robinson and USC’s entire staff to improve team speed since Muschamp took over the program.
Robinson believes his defense has made strides but said the true test will come during fall camp and throughout the season. He did add that getting linebacker Skai Moore back on the field should provide a big boost.
“During recruiting and all that kind of stuff that’s one of our emphases, to get faster,” Robinson said. “I think we got a little faster. Hopefully, we got a lot faster when the season starts.”
This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 8:41 PM with the headline "End of 2016 is motivating USC defense as camp is set to get underway."