USC practice observations: McIlwain on the run, new faces with 1s

The South Carolina football team held its fifth spring practice under Will Muschamp on Tuesday.

Additional news and notes to follow after practice.

Practice observations

▪  In the full-team period the media could watch, Perry Orth took every snap with the first unit, while true freshman Brandon McIlwain got all the No. 2 work.

▪  Quarterback Lorenzo Nunez arrived on crutches and still did work with the other injured players.

▪  McIlwain showed off his legs with a couple scrambles but also tossed an interception over the middle to Larenz Bryant, who had a clear lane toward the end zone.

▪  D.J. Park worked in at first-team left guard.

▪  D.J. Smith was with the first unit at safety.

▪  Wide receiver Terry Googer got some reps with the first team.

▪  Defensive back Chris Moody, who announced he would transfer this offseason, is now listed on the roster again. He was wearing No. 7 on Tuesday.

▪  Rod Talley got the first reps at running back, dropping a swing pass and posting at least one solid run. David Williams worked in for the second half of the first team’s drive.

▪  Early enrollee defensive end Keir Thomas rotated in with the starters and broke into the backfield on one occasion when Orth was tagged down.

▪  Wide receiver Jalen Christian broke a big gain on a bubble screen.

▪  McIlwain hit a sharp slant to Christian Owens off play-action.

▪  Jasper Sasser and Chaz Elder were the second-team safeties with Darin Smalls at one cornerback spot.

▪  We saw a few more wrinkles out of the Gamecock offense. Running backs often motioned out of the backfield for swing screens. McIlwain also ran a draw out of that look and on one play, the offensive line blocked for a sweep going the opposite way of the screen.

▪  Buck Boosie Whitlow had a couple plays standing up, a step toward the 3-4 look that’s been much discussed.

▪  Will Muschamp got on defensive tackle Abu Lamin emphatically after a particular play.

▪  The whole staff grew animated and the energy level rose during a blocking drill. Two players lined up across each other in a narrow chute. Each had to try to win the battle as a running back came downhill from behind the offensive player. The closest were wide receivers and defensive backs, but linemen locked horns a big farther down from our vantage point.

▪  Former players Brandon Shell, Cody Gibson and Mike Matulis were at practice.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 6:08 PM with the headline "USC practice observations: McIlwain on the run, new faces with 1s."