USC spring football practice scorecard: Muschamp era set to begin
South Carolina’s spring practices begin Tuesday, and the Will Muschamp era starts with new coaches, new players and plenty of unanswered questions.
Five key questions
1. Who will win the starting quarterback job – Brandon McIlwain, Connor Mitch, Lorenzo Nunez, Perry Orth or Michael Scarnecchia?
2. How physical will first-year head coach Will Muschamp’s practices be compared to his predecessor Steve Spurrier?
3. Can the Gamecocks identify enough offensive playmakers to give new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper any chance for success in 2016?
4. What will the offensive line pecking order look like by the time the spring game rolls around?
5. What wide receivers, if any, will prove to be ready to replace last year’s offensive MVP Pharoh Cooper?
The coaches
The coaches
WILL MUSCHAMP
Head coach
The second former Florida head coach in a row to lead USC, Muschamp was 28-21 in four seasons with the Gators.
BOBBY BENTLEY
Running backs
Longtime head coach at Byrnes High, Bentley had short stint at Auburn before being hired to shore up state recruiting.
SHAWN ELLIOTT
Offensive line
The only holdover from Steve Spurrier’s staff, Elliott will be entering his seventh season at South Carolina.
COLEMAN HUTZLER
Special teams coordinator/linebackers
An assistant for Muschamp at Florida in 2014, Hutzler was a defensive assistant at Boston College last year.
BRYAN MCCLENDON
Wide receivers/co-offensive coordinator
A former Georgia player and assistant, McClendon is a top recruiter and likely will be asked to lure top Atlanta players.
MIKE PETERSON
Outside linebackers
A standout linebacker for Spurrier at Florida and a 14-year NFL veteran, Peterson is in his first full-time assistant coaching job.
TRAVARIS ROBINSON
Defensive coordinator/defensive backs
A 34-year-old who worked for Muschamp at Florida and Auburn, Robinson is taking his first shot at leading a defense.
KURT ROPER
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
A former quarterback at Rice, Roper was a longtime David Cutcliffe disciple before joining Muschamp at Florida.
LANCE THOMPSON
Defensive line/assistant head coach defense
A Citadel graduate, Thompson worked for Nick Saban twice and coached at Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee and Ga. Tech.
PAT WASHINGTON
Tight ends
Another longtime SEC assistant, Washington has coached 18 seasons, including at Tennessee as WR coach.
Player position changes
DARIUS ENGLISH
Senior outside linebacker
Formerly an undersized defensive end, English is a better fit as a pass rushing linebacker in Muschamp’s 3-4 defensive system.
HAYDEN HURST
Sophomore tight end
The walk-on who will be 23 when season begins spent time in Pirates organization and could help after switch from WR.
ULRIC JONES
Junior defensive tackle
Huge (6-6, 284) JUCO transfer was reserve DL last year before being switched to OL last half of season. Now he’s back at DT.
JAMARI SMITH
Junior running back
The Florida native has ping-ponged between DB and RB, and now he’s back at RB where there’s an opportunity for snaps.
BOOSIE WHITLOW
Sophomore outside linebacker
Like English, Whitlow played DE last year, but his frame looks more like the prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker.
SKAI MOORE
Senior linebacker/safety
After originally deciding to leave early for the NFL, Moore was lured back partly by the opportunity to play some safety this year.
If they aren’t playing a spring sport, and they already have their credits done, it’s much more beneficial to them academically, socially and athletically to come to campus midyear. They are at a much slower pace. We are able to do a much better job with them academically. It’s a huge benefit and in just about every situation I have been a part of, it’s been a very positive experience.
Will Muschamp on having midyear enrollees
SPRING NEWCOMERS
BRYAN EDWARDS
Wide receiver
Hasn’t played football since knee injury ended season at Conway High in October, but is expected to contribute when he’s healthy.
C.J. FREEMAN
Running back
A three-star prospect from North Carolina, Freeman saw chance to compete right away at RB if he could get a head start.
BRANDON MCILWAIN
Quarterback
The Most Interesting Man in Columbia at the moment, McIlwain will put baseball on back burner as soon as spring football starts.
CHRIS SMITH
Cornerback
Another defensive back from Rock Hill, Smith was lightly recruited out of South Pointe but has chance to contribute.
KOBE SMITH
Defensive tackle
At one time a commitment for both N.C. State and Kentucky, this Georgia native saw chance for early playing time at USC.
KEIR THOMAS
Defensive end
Another young DL looking for early playing time, Thomas was a three-star prospect who drew interest from Arkansas and Auburn.
PLAYER DEPARTURES
SHAQ DAVIDSON
Sophomore wide receiver
A four-star prospect who never got on the field because of a knee injury, Davidson left the team this offseason.
ERNEST HAWKINS
Junior linebacker
Hawkins went to JUCO before spending one uneventful season at USC and then deciding to leave team.
AL HARRIS JR.
Junior cornerback
The son of longtime NFL DB Al Harris, Harris Jr. was a part-time starter last year but decided to transfer after the bowl game.
DAVID JOHNSON
Senior defensive end
Another part-time starter during his career, Johnson left the program this offseason after recording 20 tackles last season.
D.J. NEAL
Sophomore wide receiver
Maybe the most costly of this year’s transfers, Neal had eight catches for 104 yards and showed impressive athleticism.
This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 10:57 PM.