It’s the most open spot in USC’s offensive front — who’s getting the first team work
The biggest opening in the South Carolina football team’s offensive line comes in the middle. The Gamecocks lost a multi-year starter in Donell Stanely, and the younger players behind him have relatively little experience.
But at the moment early in spring ball, a veteran is stepping in.
Gamecocks offensive guard Sadarius Hutcherson said fourth-year utility lineman Eric Douglas has been getting the majority of the first-team center snaps this spring. He also mentioned third-year sophomore Hank Manos working in there, as well as freshman Trai Jones among other players.
“Everybody’s been working around,” Hutcherson said. “(Offensive line coach Eric Worlford) is doing a great job moving everybody around, but everybody’s looking pretty good.”
Douglas evolved into a reserve who could back up all five spots last season. He opened the year as a starting guard but was swept out in a set of changes that took him and Manos out of the top group and moved Stanley from guard to center.
Coming into the spring, the battle at center looked to be primarily between Manos, who had started the 2018 bowl game, and redshirt freshman Vincent Murphy, a player coaches spoke highly of before last season.
Douglas has played in 21 career games, primarily as a special teams player. He’s also a personality in the offensive line room.
“He brings energy,” Hutcherson said. “He gives us energy. He comes in smiling every day, laughing, giggling, just wants to have fun.”
That center spot is the biggest question mark on the offensive line, which returns three starters. Hutcherson was moved inside from tackle, replacing Jordan Rhodes, and the trio of Jakai Moore, Jaylen Nichols and Jazston Turnetine are likely battling for the spot across from Dylan Wonnum (missing spring because of hip surgery).
In his first few months on campus, the massive Turnetine has made a bit of an impression at 6-foot-7, 330 pounds.
“Athleticism, power,” Hutcherson said of the junior college transfer. “He came from JUCO and you would never know. Just by the way he comes to work everyday, it’s good to see.”
