Bryson Allen-Williams gives Gamecocks a veteran option at Buck

South Carolina senior Bryson Allen-Williams is a Buck now. At least he is if you ask Bucks coach Mike Peterson.

“I’m calling him a Buck,” Peterson said after practice Thursday. “He’s a ballplayer. He’s with the Buck position so I’m coaching him a lot and I’m excited about him.”

Allen-Williams is listed as a starting linebacker for the Gamecocks, but head coach Will Muschamp has stressed that Allen-Williams will be asked to rush the quarterback a lot this season, and the Buck position, a defensive end spot that can line up in a variety of ways, is a good fit for that role.

Peterson declined to say if Allen-Williams is considered the starter at the Buck.

“He’s definitely going to be on the field,” Peterson said. “We have packages for him, but I don’t want to tip my hand too much on what we’re doing, but he’s with the Buck position right now.”

Sophomore Dennis Wonnum was listed as the starting Buck on the preseason depth chart. Sophomore Daniel Fennel and freshman Brad Johnson also are options as backup Bucks, Peterson said.

This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 11:44 AM.