Practice report: Shon Carson’s role more defined
Shon Carson is back at running back full time. Where he fits at that position, he isn’t quite sure at the moment.
“They mix me up in there as a third-down back,” said the South Carolina senior from Scranton, who practiced at wide receiver this spring. “I think I take some of the pressure off (Brandon Wilds and David Williams).”
Gamecocks running backs coach Everette Sands will find a role for Carson, he said.
“Shon has made a lot of big plays for us through the years, so he’s got to be a guy who is ready to go,” Sands said. “He’s not a guy I am afraid to stick in the mix. He’s not going to be the first guy out there as of right now, but he’s a guy that we need, and I expect him to make some plays for us this year.”
Carson has started one game in three seasons. He has 82 career carries for 406 yards and 12 catches for 100 yards.
Tight end depth. The Gamecocks still are auditioning players for the top two reserve tight end spots, tight ends coach G.A. Mangus said. Senior Jerell Adams is expected to start at the position, but there’s plenty of room for movement behind him.
Redshirt freshman KC Crosby, true freshman Kyle Markway and walk-ons Jacob August and Hayden Hurst are competing for playing time. The Gamecocks would like to have three tight ends available for each game, Mangus said.
“Kyle Markway has had a good camp so far. He catches the ball real good and is a tough kid, doing a pretty good job in the run game,” Mangus said. “KC is kind of a guy we can move around. He’s doing some of those things right now which is another bunch of stuff he has to learn. Jacob has caught the ball a bunch. He’s a big guy and knows what to do, and Hayden Hurst has made some plays too, but they are all just guys who haven’t played very much.”
Practice report. The Gamecocks practiced for two hours Tuesday morning. It was their 14th workout of the preseason, and former Florida quarterback and current ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer addressed the team during practice. Palmer played for Spurrier at Florida.
“Practice was OK, nothing too spectacular,” Spurrier said. “We still have a whole bunch of coaching to do, a whole bunch of coaching.”
Injury update. Offensive lineman Cody Waldrop (shoulder), defensive end Cedrick Cooper (illness), tight end Connor Redmond (back), offensive lineman Malik Young (ankle), place-kicker Joseph Charlton (back) and safety Antoine Wilder (knee) sat out Tuesday’s practice.
“We have been fortunate thus far. We are staying healthy,” Spurrier said. “We are doing a good job of that right now.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 10:49 AM.