USC’s heavier D-linemen reshape bodies

Co-defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward is encouraged by his players’ conditioning through the first week of preseason practice.

“We don’t have as many fat guys,” Ward said. “Guys don’t have the guts and things they had last year.”

Defensive linemen Abu Lamin (who lost 30 pounds), Phillip Dukes and Kelcy Griffin made particular progress in reshaping their bodies this summer, Ward said.

“Guys who had those situations, we addressed them and they did what it took to change their body this summer,” Ward said.

Secondary shuffling

South Carolina’s defensive backfield lineup remains a work in progress.

“We are really rotating heavy,” sophomore cornerback Chris Lammons said. “Coach (Jon) Hoke doesn’t have any starters yet. We are just going out here trying to get it every day.”

Lammons started seven games last year and was listed as a starter entering preseason practice. Rico McWilliams (who has missed time this week due to an injury but was back on the practice field Thursday) was listed as the starter at the other cornerback position, while Chris Moody and Jordan Diggs are listed as the starters at safety.

“We are just going out here trying to get it every day,” Lammons said.

Academic update

Freshman Toure Boyd could be on the practice field at South Carolina as early as Friday, according to his Twitter account.

“I am officially a South Carolina Gamecock!” he tweeted at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.

Boyd, a 5-foot-11 defensive back, played at Chaffey College in California last year and has been awaiting NCAA academic clearance. He signed with the Gamecocks in February.

Injury update

Eight players sat out or were limited by injury Thursday morning – wide receiver Terry Googer (left shoulder), cornerback Wesley Green (left knee), safety T.J. Gurley (right hamstring), safety Darin Smalls (cramps), defensive ends Gerald Dixon (lower leg) and defensive end Boosie Whitlow (right hamstring), tight end Connor Redmond (back) and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth (pec muscle).

Quotable

“Somebody asks you how we’re going to do: ‘Maybe good, maybe not so good. We’re going to play and find out.’ Just about everybody is like that.” – Spurrier

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 10:59 AM.