Edge numbers thin, a few changes on the lines as South Carolina wraps spring practice
South Carolina spring ball has reached its end.
The Gamecocks held their final practice on Friday morning ahead of Saturday’s Garnet and Black spring game. The first six periods were open to reporters.
Here’s a look at the day’s news and notes:
- South Carolina’s defensive line room is very thin. Only Bryan Thomas Jr. and Terrell Dawkins were full participants during the viewing portion of practice. Head coach Shane Beamer said on his radio show Thursday night Desmond Umeozulu and Donovan Westmoreland were both banged up at the moment (Umeozulu is not expected to play on Saturday). Veteran returner Jordan Strachan also is continuing to rehab from a torn ACL that ended his 2022 season in Week 2 at Arkansas, while Tonka Hemingway has also missed the spring due to injury.
- Sticking with the edge rushers, Tyreek Johnson was not spotted at practice. Johnson, a fifth-year senior, is expected to be a contributor in a group that is limited in numbers and experience heading into the summer. He recorded 10 tackles in 12 games in 2022.
- A handful of other Gamecocks were banged up on Friday. Second-year defensive back Keenan Nelson didn’t participate and was wearing a boot on his foot. Linebacker Stone Blanton practiced, but had a sleeve covering his left leg and heavy tape on his left quad. Walk-on lineman Chase Sweigart also had his left hand in a cast, but he still practiced.
- South Carolina’s first team offense included the same faces that have run with the group during the bulk of the spring. Quarterback Spencer Rattler, running back Juju McDowell, tight end Trey Knox and receivers Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown rounded out the skill positions. The line included Jaylen Nichols at left tackle, Nick Gargiulo at left guard, Vershon Lee at center, Trai Jones at right guard and Sidney Fugar at right tackle.
- Fugar was the lone new face on the first team offense, though starting right tackle Jakai Moore is away from the team for a few days as he deals with what Beamer called a “tragedy in the family.” Beamer said on his Thursday radio show Moore will be attending a funeral and not play in the spring game.
- The Gamecocks first team defense included a secondary of cornerback O’Donnell Fortune and Marcellas Dial, safeties Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith and nickel Kajuan Banks. Blanton and Debo Williams worked in the two linebacker spots, while the defensive line was comprised of Alex “Boogie “ Huntley and Nick Barrett at either tackle and Dawkins and T.J. Sanders at edge. Sanders has primarily been used as a defensive tackle, but the Gamecocks need numbers on the edge at present.
- McDowell, Wells, Legette and Dakereon Joyner all practiced returning kickoffs briefly during Friday’s viewing window. Legette was South Carolina’s primary returner last year and took the opening kick 100 yards for a touchdown in the win over Texas A&M.
- Gamecocks 2023 commit Jatavius Shivers was in attendance at Friday’s practice with his parents. Shivers is a three-star recruit and the No. 856 player in the class, per the 247Sports Composite.
A handful of other prospects were on-hand during the morning, including 2025 defensive lineman Tyler Partlow (Middle Village, New York) and 2024 defensive lineman Jordan Thomas (Ramsey, New Jersey). Partlow doesn’t yet have a ranking from 247Sports, but has listed offers from Oregon State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple and Washington. Thomas is rated the No. 202 player and No. 25 defensive lineman in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite, and plays at high school powerhouse Don Bosco Prep.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 10:50 AM.
