One Gamecocks signee could play on either side of the ball. Why he’ll stick to one
Throw on the highlights, and it’s clear why South Carolina’s football staff believes Reeltown High School (Alabama) star Eric Shaw has the ability to be an impact player as a tall and quick tight end.
But the film reveals something else about the new Gamecock: He can lay some hits.
His senior production was impressive on both sides of the ball, and he flew around the field like a banshee on defense, trucking people often. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he’s obviously got some weight to add. Could he perhaps help USC on that side of things?
“I believe Eric could play on either side of the ball,” Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said. “He wants to play tight end and that’s where we’re gonna play him. But you look at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game, I think he had two sacks, made a critical sack, Mississippi is coming in on a critical third-down situation.
“He’s got great length and flexibility. He’s got natural pass rush ability for an outside backer/defensive end type.”
As a senior, Shaw went into his final game with 26 receptions for 445 yards and four touchdowns on offense and 128 tackles, with four sacks and three interceptions on defense in 14 games.
To play at either spot, he’d need to bulk up in a big way, and South Carolina will be looking for some new pieces at either spot.
The Gamecocks lost veteran pass rushing end D.J. Wonnum, leaving the versatile Buck position in the hands of veteran Brad Johnson, who has been solid but not dynamic, and redshirt freshman Rodricus Fitten.
At tight end, Nick Muse is the only player who is particularly proven, with two redshirt freshmen, two true freshman and one little-used veteran in Will Register behind him. That position was dealt a blow when Kyle Markway decided not to play another year in college and went off to take his shot in the NFL draft.
So what makes the staff want to put Shaw on offense?
“He catches the ball extremely well,” Muschamp said. “He can stretch the field vertically in the middle. He’s gonna be a mismatch, I think speed-wise obviously. He’s got to continue to get bigger and he will.”
That official 205 pounds was less than the recruiting services listed him at.
He’ll get the chance to work with new strength coach Paul Jackson once he enrolls and take full advantage of a college training table. But for now, that’s something he and the Gamecocks will have to wait on.
“He’s playing basketball right now, so I don’t how much bigger he’s gonna get as far as weight is concerned,” Muschamp said. “But he is a really good athlete and a guy that we’re really excited about. I’m just letting see how his body grows and it takes and we’ll go from there but we’ll play him at tight end.”
