South Carolina tailback limited, former Gamecock returns to visit at latest practice
South Carolina football held its eighth practice of the spring on Thursday morning inside the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility.
The session was open to reporters for the first six periods, which mostly included individual work and position drills.
Here’s a look at the day’s happenings:
- Running back Juju McDowell wore a blue non-contact jersey on Thursday. Head coach Shane Beamer hasn’t publicly addressed McDowell’s status, but the second-year tailback worked through most, if not all, of the positional work during the viewing window. The Georgia native finished his first fall in Columbia with 695 all-purpose yards — including 248 yards rushing — in 12 games last fall and is expected to contribute again in 2022.
- Wide back Jaheim Bell, safety Tyrese Ross and defensive backs Joey Hunter and walk-on Cornelius Alexander Jr. worked through varying rehab exercises with the Gamecocks strength staff. Bell has been hampered by a hamstring, though Beamer hasn’t ruled out his return this spring. Ross is one of only a handful of experienced pieces at safety alongside Central Michigan transfer Devonni Reed and veteran returner R.J. Roderick.
- With Bell shelved and Oklahoma transfer Austin Stogner still finishing classes in Norman, South Carolina is desperately thin at tight end. Traevon Kenion, Jesse Sanders and receiver Chad Terrell were the only three players consistently working with new tight ends coach Jody Wright during the first part of Thursday’s practice. Offensive lineman Wyatt Campbell also wore a No. 80 jersey, indicating he could get time as an eligible receiver or extra blocker on the edge at some point.
- Former South Carolina defensive lineman Travian Robertson was at Thursday’s session. Robertson played for the Gamecocks between 2007 and 2011 and was recently named the defensive line coach at Tulane. He was previously on Shawn Elliott’s staff at Georgia State after playing four seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
- Running back MarShawn Lloyd and receivers Xavier Legette and Payton Mangrum returned kicks during the special teams portion of the day. Lloyd has drawn rave reviews this spring as he continues working back from a torn ACL that ended his 2020 season in the preseason. Legette, too, has been lauded for his work in the offseason.
- James Madison transfer receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. looked the part of a possible game-changer in 2022. The sample size was minuscule, but Wells was speedy out of his breaks and fluid in his pass-catching while running routes against air on Thursday. He’s drawn praise from teammates and staff members throughout the spring and profiles as a dynamic complement to 2021 leading receiver Josh Vann.
- Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell was on hand for Thursday’s practice and briefly chatted with Beamer. Farwell is in his first season in Jacksonville after spending three seasons in the same role for the Buffalo Bills. The San Diego State product played eight seasons in the NFL at linebacker before jumping into coaching. He’s also worked for the Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 11:01 AM.
Ben Portnoy
The State