Athletic freshman returns from injuries to make some ‘really nice’ plays for Gamecocks
It’s a difficult spot South Carolina tight end Eric Shaw was in.
The tough and athletic Gamecock is at a position that has usually required some development. That was before bone spurs cost him the majority of USC’s preseason camp through August and early September.
But that didn’t stop him from catching his coach’s eye in scrimmage play Saturday.
“Eric played about 18 snaps and made two really nice catches,” head coach Will Muschamp said. “Athletically he shows you some things you really want to see at the position. He has missed some time because of his bone spurs, but now he’s back and we have been really pleased with what we’ve seen.”
Shaw arrived with the rest of the summer enrollees in early June, but a surgery kept him out until last week.
In high school, the 6-foot-4 Shaw was a hard-hitting linebacker and a wide receiver. His work as a wrecking ball on defense allowed for some conversation about playing defense in college at some point, but he also posted 26 catches for 458 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver at a small school.
He was 218 pounds at one point just before camp, so it might be hard for him to hold up blocking in the box. But as a slot option, he could throw blocks in space.
Nick Muse looks to be the team’s top tight end option, but the situation behind him is less clear. Will Register and KeShawn Toney got some praise early from Muse. Former receiver Keveon Mullins and Traevon Kenion both offer some interesting ceilings.
But Muschamp said there’s not much in the way of pecking order at the moment.
“Will Register has been very dependable in everything that we’re asking him to do,” Muschamp said. “Mullins adds a dimension to that position. He’s a guy that can really run and has really flourished in the passing game a little bit. Obviously there’s some things we need to tie up as far as the run game is concerned.
“KeShawn Toney’s been very solid in what he’s done. Trae Kenion, in his opportunities, has done a nice job that needs to become more reliable as far as assignments and those things are concerned.”
