South Carolina Football: 5 players who should play more this weekend
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football players who could play more against Furman:
Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard
The Gamecock linebacker played pretty well against North Carolina as Debo Williams and Stone Blanton combined for 24 tackles. The issue was, though, that the linebacker duo played almost every snap of the game. After Mo Kaba was injured early, Williams and Blanton didn’t come out of the game while the Gamecock defense was on the field.
That can’t continue to be the trend for Clayton White’s defense, especially as the SEC slate starts next week on the road against Georgia. Other linebackers have to be ready to play. Bam Martin-Scott is hopeful to make his season debut after being banged up this fall, but the player who fans are most clamoring to see at the position is true freshman Grayson “Pup” Howard.
Pup Howard got reps with the first-team some this offseason when Stone Blanton missed some time with injury, so the coaching staff clearly has confidence in him. Howard then got hurt himself later in camp, and Shane Beamer and company did not feel confident in playing him last week due to his lack of practice time.
Another week of healing and experience will see Howard hit the field this Saturday. He was a tackling machine in high school, and his size (6’4″ and 240 pounds) will allow him to be a helpful player against the run.
Fans should expect both Bam Martin-Scott (if healthy) and Pup Howard to play on Saturday, and Howard could be auditioning for a real rotational role as the Gamecocks get ready for the SEC season.