How young Gamecocks learn in the spring impacts scheme changes, adjustments in fall

South Carolina’s football’s youngest players were “swimming,” in Will Muschamp’s words, as spring practice started.

This makes sense because the early enrollees were being fed college-level schemes, going against bigger and stronger players than they’re used to facing. It’s a shock to any system and a lot of change both in terms of football and life.

And it shows the coaching staff how they need to install in-season adjustments in the fall.

“We’ve thrown a lot at them, and that’s our philosophy is to install a lot,” Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said early in spring practice. “And part of our evaluation is to see who can handle it and how we need to teach and coach these guys. That’s a huge assessment that you make as a coach as far as that’s concerned.”

Muschamp spoke several times about focusing on how his players learn. That’s something that’s assessed as soon as they are signed.

Having to change and adjust on the fly has become a fact of life in South Carolina’s program, often not for good reasons. Last year, the Gamecocks had to throw freshman after freshman into the fire.

At least 10 first-year players saw the field, and five or so started. Defensive back R.J. Roderick got thrown into a starting role, while Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu both had to play multiple positions.

And one can even look farther back to when Steven Montac had to play every secondary position in 2016, a year when South Carolina’s top passer, runner and second-leading receiver were freshmen.

That often means a little less flexibility on game week, as a less experienced player had less of a base to work with. But those moments early in spring, when players are taking in everything fast, have some payout once the grind really begins.

“It really helps you during the season from the standpoint of changing things schematically week-to-week,” Muschamp said. “You understand the guys that handle it well and the guys we’ve got to spend some time with.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2019 at 10:57 PM.