Jasper Sasser stands out for Gamecocks after switch to spur

South Carolina spur Jasper Sasser is one person who walked away from the Gamecocks spring practices hoping the results were a sign of things to come.

The seldom-used sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla., made an impact throughout the spring and capped it off with a two-interception performance in the annual Garnet and Black game this past Saturday. New co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke was certainly one who took notice.

“He had a good spring,” Hoke said. “We keep track of takeaways every day. He might lead the spring in takeaways. He has been around the football quite a bit. He has shown improvement every day and we’re excited about what he has done. Hopefully, he will continue that in the fall.”

Sasser has been on campus two seasons and played in nine games. He redshirted in 2013 and mainly played on special teams last season without recording a tackle. He’s best known for recovering Carlton Heard’s blocked punt that set up the game-tying touchdown in the comeback win over Florida.

He moved to the spur (or nickel) position after being buried on the third-team depth chart at strong safety. That position suits him better, Sasser said.

“I love playing spur because we get to blitz, drop into coverages and disguise more,” Sasser said. “At spur I feel I can make more plays.”

With Hoke on board, the playing field is even for everyone regardless of what was accomplished before the 13-year NFL coaching veteran decided to return to the college ranks at South Carolina.

Sasser said being able to learn from someone who has such deep NFL ties is a bonus.

“I love coach Hoke,” Sasser said. “He is straightforward and all about details and techniques. Just do my assignment, line up correctly and do the technique and keys. If I do those things, everything (else) would come to me.”

The change didn’t come without a learning curve though. The first week of practice was a lot different with the position move and having to learn what Hoke was teaching. The 6-foot, 207-pounder knew the best thing he could do was try to absorb as much as Hoke was teaching and then make the plays when given the opportunity.

Sasser had an interception in the scrimmage the week before the spring game as well and always seemed to be around the football.

“The first week was real slow but I learned everything real fast,” he said. “You have to learn the techniques and alignments. Once you get that done, it comes to you.

“I’ve just been trying to do my job and listen to coach Hoke, get better every day and listen to what he tells me to do.”

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 12:50 PM with the headline "Jasper Sasser stands out for Gamecocks after switch to spur."