USC’s Marquavius Lewis stays at DE; freshman duo in DL rotation

South Carolina senior defensive lineman Marquavius Lewis spent long stretches of August practice working inside at tackle.

But in many situations, his spot will still be at the edge.

Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp clarified that Monday as the first depth chart of the season came out. Lewis started every game in 2015 and despite only arriving last year, is one of the most seasoned defenders USC had.

“That’s pretty fluid,” Muschamp said of where Lewis will line up. “Marquavius gives us some opportunity inside with a better athlete.”

The coach then said Lewis is still an end in first-and-10 situations and that the staff moved freshman Keir Thomas inside to get more athleticism and quick push in there.

The depth chart overall reflects relying on experience, with Taylor Stallworth and Kelsey Griffin at the No. 1 tackle spots and Lewis and tackle-turned end Dante Sawyer outside. Thomas is joined by fellow freshman D.J. Wonnum on the two-deep, plus redshirt freshman Shameik Blackshear, who came back from gunshot wounds in the offseason.