Four of the newest Gamecock football players put on scholarship
The South Carolina football team confirmed Friday that four players, three who opened preseason camp as walk-ons, are on scholarship.
The set of players is wide receiver Jalen Brooks, fullback Adam Prentice, kicker Mitch Jeter and punter Kai Kroeger. Prentice went through the spring semester as a walk-on after transferring from Colorado State, while Jeter and Kroeger came to campus early in summer as freshmen.
Brooks transferred in just before camp began.
All had to wait to go on scholarship so the could count toward a 25-man limit for the 2021 recruiting class. The 2020 class had already been filed. At the moment, South Carolina is at 84 scholarships and would have to borrow another 2021 spot if it wanted to add another transfer.
USC announced the news via a news release Friday. No fans or media are allowed at this summer’s practices, which are being held during the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for a modified 2020 season schedule.
The team wore some pads for the first time on Friday. In a statement, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp praised the team’s competitive edge.
“It was fun,” starting guard Sadarius Hutcherson said in a video provided by USC’s sports communications department. “Offensive line, defensive line competing, everybody just shouting.”
A fast study
The Gamecocks added offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine this offseason, and he’s taken to a starting role quickly.
It took only five practices in spring for him to all but lock up the left tackle spot. At 6-foot-6, 337 pounds, he’s got the size and speed, but he’s brought something else that impressed one veteran.
“It’s like this guy has pretty much been here already, like a year and half already,” Hutcherson said. “He knows pretty much all the plays. There’s some times he calls the plays before me.”
Fine at his position
With his height, starting corner Israel Mukuamu has long been linked to the safety spot. At 6-foot-4, most defensive backs end up in the middle of the field rather than the outside.
His coaches have even talked about the possibility or likelihood of him helping there, as the Gamecocks are currently heavy on talented corners and a bit light in terms of reliable safety pay. But despite that, Mukuamu still sees himself as an outside guy.
“I definitely feel like a corner,” Mukuamu said. “But I’m a guy that you can move me around. I can go back to safety if i have to. It’s good to be versatile.
“Whatever the coaches ask me, I’m going to try to do.”
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 12:58 PM.
