How many wide receivers do Gamecocks need on gameday?

Last year, it only seemed as if South Carolina had one wide receiver.

Now with Pharoh Cooper gone, the Gamecocks football team will need to find some semblance of depth in the coming weeks. The team ended spring with only five players listed for six spots on its two-deep, and coaches have a certain aim for how much depth they want.

“You want as many as you can get, right?” offensive coordinator Kurt Roper said. “In an SEC game, we typically have six or seven that are capable of playing. But the ones that are ready and the best ones are the ones that will play.”

Cutting down the group can be important because a team needs its top set of pass catchers developing timing and a relationship with the top passer.

The six or seven mark can be a bit of a luxury, especially a year after Cooper was surrounding by a rotating cast of freshmen, walk-ons and a few low-impact seniors.

“I’ve been in years where you rotated guys, and I’ve been in years where three guys played,” Roper said. “We played three wide receivers in 2012 at Duke. Luckily we stayed healthy.”

That team had Jamison Crowder (1,074 yards, 8 TDs), Conner Vernon (1,074 yards, 8 TDs) and Desmond Scott (666 yards). The No. 4 wide receiver had six catches for 63 yards.

South Carolina returns no receiver who caught more than 12 passes. Deebo Samuel and walk-on Matrick Belton are experienced options, with true freshman Bryan Edwards vying for a spot after enrolling early.

More from Smith?

Jamari Smith was one of those five on the post-spring depth chart, and him being the only listed slot receiver puts the depth question in sharp focus. He moved to wide receiver in the spring after bouncing between cornerback and running back.

Despite showing well in the spring game, coach Will Muschamp didn’t hold back that Smith has a ways to go.

“In two days, he’s been OK,” Muschamp said Wednesday. “He’s a really solid special teams contributor and a guy that we’re excited about. He needs to continue to step up for us at receiver. We need some playmakers at that position.”

Smith said his current backup is Matrick Belton, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound walk-on who is South Carolina’s second-most productive returning pass catcher.

Improving lineman

Gamecocks offensive guard Donell Stanley came out of the spring as probably the most improved lineman. He dropped five pounds since then to 325, and is currently battling for one of the starting guard spots, with Zack Bailey and Cory Helms also in the mix.

Stanley, a four-star prospect from Latta, said the coaches have been working with him to improve his technique.

“Getting my feet faster, hands stronger, typical stuff you need to play offensive line,” Stanley said. “Feel a whole lot better.”

Up next

South Carolina has four practices over the next three days, including two on Sunday. All four are closed to the public.

The Gamecocks’ open practices are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15, 16 and 17.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 1:50 PM.