USC football’s open practices, NFL pro day on tap this week

South Carolina football, under first-year coach Will Muschamp, will open its first spring practices to the public this week.

The Gamecocks have eight practices under their belt heading into this week. Practice No. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and No. 10 at 4:30 p.m. Thursday will both be open to the public. The sessions will take place at the new practice fields, located at the west end of Gamecock Park.

All fans and media attending the practice sessions at the practice fields are asked to stay behind the yellow rope. Parking will be available in Gamecock Park with access off National Guard Road. As was the case in prior years, players will not be available for autographs before, during or after the practice sessions. Pets are not permitted on the practice fields.

The Gamecocks will conclude with the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game at noon Saturday, April 9, at Williams-Brice Stadium. That game is free and open to the public.

Also this week, South Carolina will hold its annual Pro Timing Day at Williams-Brice Stadium on Wednesday.

USC expects 17 draft-eligible former players to work out for NFL coaches and scouts, including several who did not play for the Gamecocks in 2015.

Those former Gamecock players expected to participate include: Jerell Adams, Landon Ard, Shon Carson, Pharoh Cooper, Gerald Dixon, Gerald Dixon Jr., Phillip Dukes, Garrison Gist, T.J. Gurley, Mason Harris, Carlton Heard, Shamier Jeffery, Isaiah Johnson, Kaiwan Lewis, Mike Matulis, Brandon Shell and Brandon Wilds.

Harris and Lewis transferred after the 2014 season but will return to work out at USC’s pro day.

The on-field portion of the day’s testing will begin in Williams-Brice Stadium at approximately 10:30 a.m. with the 40-yard dash; Short Shuttle/3-Cone; and Long Shuttle.

Following the testing, individual position workouts will be conducted on the field in the following order: wide receiver and tight end; offensive line; defensive line and linebackers; running backs, defensive backs, kicker.

The Williams-Brice Stadium workout portion of Pro Timing Day will be open to the public.

Fans should park in the North Premium Parking Lot of Gamecock Park, enter the stadium through Gate 20 by the press elevators on the west side of the stadium, and sit in the lower west stands. The gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "USC football’s open practices, NFL pro day on tap this week."