Why South Carolina’s Williams, Kinlaw impressed Will Muschamp through camp

Two of the jewels of South Carolina’s 2017 recruiting class will see the field Saturday against N.C. State. Neither came in early, but both made an impression on Will Muschamp.

Owing to some secondary shuffling, Jamyest Williams is listed as USC’s starting nickel. Mammoth Javon Kinlaw is a second-string tackle and most prototypical nose guard.

There had been some concerns about Kinlaw’s endurance, but Muschamp focused on something else.

“I think Javon’s progressed very well,” Muschamp said. “He works extremely hard at it. With a guy that’s as big as he is, the thing that concerns you is his pad level. We’ve got to get his pads down in some situations. But I’ve been extremely pleased with Javon, a guy that really has exceeded my expectations coming in.”

The coach added Kinlaw came in with a good work ethic and was bright, which helped in learning the scheme.

At Jones County Junior College, Kinlaw had 4 1/2 sacks and 26 tackles in eight games.

Williams comes in as a highly athletic but smaller defensive back (listed 5-foot-9), but the coaches like what he brings.

“I think you see a guy that, the No. 1 talent he has is his competitive edge,” Muschamp said “The guy goes and competes every snap. And he goes out and practices the right way, the way you’re supposed to practice. He’s a bright young man. He continues to learn. The more snaps he continues to take, the game is going to slow down for him.”

If he starts at nickel as the depth chart suggests, he’ll be put in a high-leverage position. Modern spread offenses often stress the range of nickel corners, reading them and making them recover.

That could play to Williams’ strengths, but he’ll also have to stand up in the run game.

Williams was the No. 12 corner in his class. As a junior he rushed for 1,339 yards and 23 touchdowns with 31 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions on defense.

And now he’ll have a notable role in a Gamecocks defense that needs someone new to step in and step up.

“I’ve been extremely proud of how he’s come in and worked,” Muschamp said. “That’s been the most important thing. If a guy’s willing to come in and has some intelligence and be willing to work and has some ability he’s going to have a chance. And certainly, he’s enhanced his chances by how he’s played.”

Jim being Jim

During Muschamp’s Tuesday press conference, the coach pointed out he’d actually released a depth chart, something that’s becoming less of the norm around the sport. He then cracked that he might’ve given the sports information staff the wrong one with a wink.

One media member pointed out the small-scale controversy surrounding Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s refusal to release an official roster, and Muschamp gave a little smile before responding.

“I didn’t know that,” Mushcamp said. “He’s something.”

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 3:26 PM.