Notebook: Spurrier eager to settle QB decision

Steve Spurrier isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback, and he isn’t ready to rule out playing more than one in 2015.

“We need to find a quarterback, we need to find a guy we can all hang our hat on, a guy we can say, ‘This guy is a tough guy, he’s got courage, he’ll sit in the pocket, he’ll take a hit, he’s in the game,’” South Carolina’s head coach said Wednesday. “We need to find that guy hopefully.”

Sophomore Connor Mitch emerged from spring practice as the frontrunner for the starting job, but junior Perry Orth, freshman Michael Scarnecchia and freshman Lorenzo Nunez will get their chance during preseason camp, Spurrier said. Mitch completed 2-of-6 passes last season, while Orth completed neither of his two attempts.

“I am hoping one of our quarterbacks will completely outplay the rest,” Spurrier said. “That makes it simple for the coaches, very simple.”

Winner, winner

Spurrier’s group won the best-ball golf tournament with a score of 59. Spurrier’s team consisted of SportsTalk radio host Phil Kornblut, ESPN’s Peter Burns and ABC Columbia sports director Tim Hill.

Closed practices

Spurrier’s decision to close the team’s preseason practices has more to do with logistics than privacy, Spurrier said. This is the first fall the Gamecocks will practice at their new practice facility behind Gamecock Park and parking and field space would make it difficult to have fans there, Spurrier said.

Scrimmages at Williams-Brice Stadium, which are scheduled for Saturdays, probably will be open, Spurrier said.

Big season?

Senior tight end Jerell Adams will get the chance to have a big final season.

“I am hoping Jerell will become an all-conference tight end,” Spurrier said. “I believe he has more ability than we have been able to get out of him. He potentially could be a big-time tight end, receiver for us.”

Adams, 6-foot-6, 231 pounds, has 38 catches for 556 yards in three seasons at South Carolina.

Extra Points

Offensive linemen Brandon Shell (shoulder) and Mike Matulis (knee) have been participating in most of the team’s summer workouts and will be ready for fall practice, Spurrier said. … Walk-on Sean Kelly, who played at Florida Atlantic in 2012 and 2013, probably will win the punting and holding job, Spurrier said. … Spurrier praised his assistant coaching staff, including strength coach Joe Connolly, on Wednesday. “We really have an excellent staff here,” he said. “We did our summer about like always, Coach Connolly and his staff, speed, strength, the whole bit. It’s a game of speed, game of size still. We think our team is in very good shape. Time will tell.”

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 9:42 PM.