Observations from Shane Beamer’s first spring football practice with South Carolina

South Carolina football took the field for its first official practice of the spring season on Saturday, going through drills on a blustery morning on the fields next to the Long Family Football Operations Center. Media members were allowed to view the first few periods of work; here are some observations from coach Shane Beamer’s first outing.

▪ The traditional yellow injured/no-contact jerseys did not make an appearance. QBs were in green while defensive back Dominick Hill, who recently posted on social media about undergoing surgery, was in blue. Everyone else was in regular jerseys, although that might have been the case because it was a day without pads and without contact.

▪ Another unusual quirk was having some injured players go through the team stretching period and then duck into the indoor facility for more work. The Will Muschamp staff usually kept the injured players in the back or off to the side until media departed.

▪ Players spotted in the indoor group included: running back MarShawn Lloyd, corner Joey Hunter, running back Bruce Staley, wide receiver OrTre Smith, Spencer Eason-Riddle, Randrecous Davis, Bradley Dunn, Damani Staley. Offensive tackle Jakai Moore was in a boot and using a scooter. Defensive tackle Rick Sandidge was in a boot but was walking.

▪ Transfer QB Jason Brown was not present. The school after practice said Brown was dealing with an illness.

▪ Tight end Jaheim Bell looked like he’s put in a bit of work in the weight room. Fellow tight end Tre Kenion looked like he’s dropped some weight.

▪ Defensive lineman Devontae Davis was out there and moving well. He has not played his first two years on campus after arriving from junior college.

▪ Special-teams coordinator Pete Lembo came to Columbia with a reputation as a technician, and that was on display Saturday. The first period after stretching was a special teams circuit, and Lembo was getting after some guys with some nuanced guidance.

▪ One interesting drill the team deployed was one where players had to hold a length of PVC pipe across their lower backs and get downfield with a shoulder dip. It appeared proper technique on that dip was the aim of the drill.

▪ Derrick Moore was a wave of energy. Certainly getting after players.

▪ Freshman defensive lineman Nick Barrett is now wearing number 93.

The family was watching

Members of Beamer’s family, including wife Emily and parents Frank and Cheryl, were at practice Saturday for his first practice as USC coach.

“The energy was great,” Shane Beamer said through a school news release. “It was awesome being out here. Having a chance to get back out on the field with the guys and doing what we love was awesome. And honestly, I was really impressed with — and it’s a credit to our staff — the efficiency and organization.

“A lot of emotions. Having my family out here was pretty cool as well.”

Patrick DiMarco added to staff

Former South Carolina standout and NFL All-Pro running back Patrick DiMarco is re-joining the Gamecock football program.

DiMarco retired from the NFL in January after almost a decade in the league. He will work at South Carolina as a football analyst and as assistant director of football relations.

DiMarco was present Saturday as the Gamecocks began spring practice.

”Obviously, what he did as a player speaks for itself,” Beamer said in a statement. “We told our team this: Here’s a guy who was somewhat under recruited coming into Carolina, to have the career that he had here, and then to have a 10- or 11-year career in the NFL, make two Pro Bowls, play in a Super Bowl. He’s got a fantastic story. He’ll be a great resource for us as a staff.

“He’ll be here to help our offense and special teams as an analyst. ... He can’t coach on the field, but he will be a great resource for us.”

Depth chart musings

▪ The teams did some offense and defense walkthroughs during the media viewing period. Players were moving between groups somewhat fluidly, but below is a look at some of the main groups and how the depth chart looks early.

First team:

QBs: Luke Doty

RB: Kevin Harris (with some ZaQuandre White)

WR: Dakereon Joyner, Jalen Brooks, Chad Terrell

TE: Nick Muse

OL: Jazston Turnetine (OT), Jaylin Nichols (OG), Eric Douglas (C), Jovaughn Gwyn (OG), Dylan Wonnum (OT)

DL: Aaron Sterling (Edge), Jabari Ellis (DT), Zacch Pickens (DT), Kingsley Enagbare (Edge)

LB: Debo Williams, Sherrod Greene, Darryle Ware

DB: Jahmar Brown (S), Cam Smith (CB), Jaylan Foster (S), Joey Hunter (CB)

Second team:

QB: Colten Gauthier

RB: Rashad Amos

WR: Josh Vann, Rico Powers, Trey Adkins

TE: EJ Jenkins

OL: (incomplete) Vershon Lee, Hank Manos (center), Tyshawn Wannamaker (guard)

DL: Jordan Burch, Keem Green, Tonka Hemingway, Rod Fitten

LB: Debo Williams, Mo Kaba

DB: (Incomplete) O’Donnell Fortune, Marcellas Dial, Landon Greer

This story was originally published March 20, 2021 at 11:08 AM.