South Carolina Football: Three Things to Look Forward to in June
By Jacob Elsey
It’s June and the South Carolina football season is getting closer and closer. Here are three things Gamecock fans can get excited for as we enter a new month.
It’s been an odd year in sports, with nearly everything being shut down in the United States since March. But that could be changing as we enter the month of June. Sports, both at the collegiate and professional level, are discussing ways to start their respective seasons, safely, of course.
It’s obvious that the product will look a little different, particularly in regards to fan attendance, but the country is eager to have its live sports back again. Let’s take a look at three reasons for Gamecock fans, in particular, to be excited about the month ahead.
1. WE HAVE FOOTBALL AGAIN… WELL, SORT OF.
The South Carolina football team will return this month, after a lengthy break. The SEC has approved for voluntary workouts to be held, starting June 8. Though this is not the start of mandatory practices, it will be the first time since early Spring that players and staff will be together on campus.
Coach Muschamp has laid out some guidelines for keeping everyone healthy, including checking temperatures daily and working out in four-man groups assigned by those who live together as opposed to position groups. Players should also get a little more familiar with new Strength and Conditioning coach Paul Jackson, who will be leading these summer workouts.
2. JORDAN BURCH IN UNIFORM FOR THE FIRST TIME
Speaking of the players on campus, everyone is anxious to see freshman Jordan Burch don the Gamecock uniform for the first time this month. Burch was rated as the eighth-best prospect in the class of 2020. Graduating from Hammond High School this past semester, he’ll get his first taste of college football when summer workouts begin next week.
Hammond doesn’t allow for early graduation, so Burch was unable to enroll to the university this past January like some other members of the recruiting class. For that reason, he wasn’t able to participate in the shortened Spring practices.
Burch projects to play the BUCK position, which is a hybrid position along the defensive line in coach Will Muschamp’s defense. The Columbia native was the highest rated player in South Carolina’s most recent class, and is the highest rated prospect to commit to the Gamecocks since Jadeveon Clowney back in 2011.
3. WE’RE THREE MONTHS FROM KICKOFF
With the opening kick scheduled for September 5th, the season is quickly approaching. The June workouts will give us the first sense of normalcy in the world of sports, which is a great sign to having the season start as scheduled.
The Gamecocks’ first contest will come at home against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on that first Saturday in September. Will Ryan Hilinski be back under center? Will newcomer MarShawn Lloyd take the first snap at running back? How will the defense look after losing three players to the NFL draft? How will players adapt to Mike Bobo’s offense?
All of these questions, and more, could start to become more evident as the month of June continues. And the 2020 season will be here before we know it.