Donell Stanley among most improved USC OL through the spring

In the fall, injuries weaken a football team. In the spring, they offer chances.

Redshirt sophomore guard Donell Stanley managed to get a few in South Carolina’s spring practice.

With center Alan Knott knocked out for stretches with a wrist, forcing guard Cory Helms to man the pivot, and D.J. Park seeing some time at offensive tackle, Stanley found himself going some practices with the starting offense. He saw scattered playing time on offense last season and was pleased to be working with the top group.

“Getting extra reps, that’s good,” Stanley said. “Any time you can get reps with both teams, that’s good to have. Just working with the first team, that’s making my confidence rise up more. It’s a good thing and hopefully I can get in that spot in the fall.”

Stanley came to the Gamecocks as a four-star prospect out of Latta. He redshirted as a freshman and then played mostly special teams a season ago.

The 330-pounder opened the spring as a No. 2 right guard behind Helms, a former starter at Wake Forest. Helms projects as a 2016 starter, but the other side is less certain as D.J. Park appeared to push sophomore guard Zack Bailey and took some reps from right tackle Blake Camper as the spring wore on.

Overall the Gamecocks need more from an offensive line that allowed nearly a quarter of the team’s runs to be stuffed behind the line.

As South Carolina looks to rebuild that unit, Stanley could find a way to work into the mix. He exited the spring with praises from coach Will Muschamp.

“Donell Stanley, if we were naming a most improved offensive lineman, it might be him,” Muschamp said. “Just from a standpoint of his movement skills and how much he’s improved. We’ve really worked those guys extremely hard.”

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Donell Stanley among most improved USC OL through the spring."