Five Spring Surprises who could have impact for South Carolina

DJ Park

Right offensive tackle

At the start of spring, Blake Camper appeared to be the heir apparent at right tackle. Park threw a bit of a wrench in that. The former Dillon star opened the spring at guard, and after making some impact there, the staff pulled him outside. He ended up working with the first-team offense in the spring. He managed to break through what seemed like a ceiling in his development and went into the summer hoping to lose weight. If he holds the job, he’ll have a chance to help solidify an offensive front that struggled a year ago.

Daniel Fennell

Defensive end

Once a linebacker, Fennell might have taken the largest jump of the offseason. The former linebacker came from Georgia powerhouse Grayson. He came into the spring off his redshirt year, and after a range of defensive players got a shot at the hybrid Buck pass rushing position, he got the first-team work in the spring game. He ended the spring with a No. 1 spot on the depth chart. The Gamecocks will be looking to boost their pass rush, and he should provide another option.

A.J. Turner

Running back

With David Williams potentially filling the role of power back, Turner could add a dimension of speed and elusiveness. The former three-star prospect worked behind the scenes redshirting in 2015, but exited the spring as a No. 2 back. In his last full high school season (a wrist injury hampered him as a senior), he posted 32 scores, 1,287 yards and was athletic enough to snag eight interceptions. While his spring game didn’t pop, he could be a change-of-pace option if he holds off freshman Rico Dowdle.

Jamari Smith

Wide receiver

The junior receiver was a corner, and a running back, and held each role a time or two as he bounced between defense and offense. The staff shifted him to wide receiver and he seems to have found a home. He closed out the spring strong, with 54 yards on six receptions in the spring game. At 5-foot-10, 204-pound, he’s quick and shifty enough to operate in the slot for Kurt Roper’s offense, and coming out of the spring, he was the only player listed at that position.

Donell Stanley

Offensive guard

Will Muschamp called him arguably the most improved lineman in the spring, bettering his movement skills and displaying strong work ethic. He’ll come into August camp as a No. 2 guard, but that could put him in spots to play in a variety of circumstances. He’ll have a chance to push sophomore Zack Bailey, and while Alan Knott is entrenched at center, Cory Helms likely moves over if anything happens, opening a spot. Stanley boasts a lot of size, and could push for more time.

Ben Breiner, bbreiner@thestate.com