South Carolina without veteran defensive starter at latest spring football practice
South Carolina was missing one of its starting defensive backs at Tuesday’s practice.
Marcellas Dial wasn’t seen working out with the Gamecocks in the portion open to the media. A team spokesman wasn’t sure of the reason for Dial’s absence. Dial was later spotted in shorts and pads in the indoor facility.
Safety Keenan Nelson and Peyton Williams also weren’t at practice on Tuesday.
Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer addressed their absences at his weekly press conference on Thursday.
“Dial and Nelson are going to be fine, nothing long term,” Beamer said. “Hamstrings and groins and things like that. Hopefully, we will get them back here soon.
““(Williams) is another DB who is dealing with a little bit of an injury right now, nothing long-term. He wasn’t practicing today.”
Dial played in all 13 games last season with 10 starts and is one of USC’s most experienced cornerbacks. He led the team with three interceptions and 12 pass break-ups to go along with 45 tackles.
Isaiah Norris and Kajuan Banks replaced Dial and Nelson in the first-team reps.
Offensive lineman Jakai Moore also wasn’t at practice and Beamer said Moore is dealing with a “family tragedy.” He didn’t say when he would be back.
“Thoughts and prayers out to him. Really tough thing that he is going through,” he said.
Other practice observations from Tuesday, the 10th of USC’s 15 allotted spring practices.:
▪ JuJu McDowell got first-team reps at running back. Dakereon Joyner was second team.
▪ Xavier Legette made a nice catch from quarterback Spencer Rattler during red-zone work.
▪ Transfer tight end Trey Knox was first-team tight end and Joshua Simon worked with second team.
▪ Zacch Pickens was at practice and worked with the defensive linemen. Pickens is expected to be taken in the NFL Draft later this month.
▪ Class of 2024 defensive end prospect Jamonta Waller and Buford (Ga.) Class of 2026 defensive lineman James Morrow also were seen watching practice. Waller has a USC offer and is rated as a four-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite rankings.
▪ Members of North Central and Gray Collegiate football teams were there Tuesday. New North Central coach Daniel Sisk was on the Dorman staff last year with early enrollee Markee Anderson and coached at Camden where Xzavier McLeod, another early enrollee, attended.
Gray running backs Caleb Ford and BJ Montgomery were among the Gray players there with head coach Adam Holmes, a former Gamecocks player.
▪ Dillon head coach Kelvin Roller also was at practice. Roller is head coach of Josiah Thompson, one of the top targets for USC in the Class of 2024. Thompson will announce his college choice on April 14.
This story was originally published April 4, 2023 at 11:08 AM.
