South Carolina Football: 7 questions for the Gamecocks as spring practice begins
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football's 7 Spring Practice Questions:
How will the transfers integrate?
Shane Beamer and his South Carolina football coaching staff brought in one of the top transfer classes in the country this offseason. They did it in a little bit of a different way than other teams, though, as the Gamecocks brought in a bunch of quality players rather than one or two stars and then some roster fillers.
Wide receiver, as mentioned previously, will be heavily influenced by transfers (especially Jared Brown and Gage Larvadain), but so will running back. Rocket Sanders is the presumed starter if healthy, but he might not practice this spring as he rehabs his shoulder. Will Oscar Adaway or Jawarn Howell pass by returners Juju McDowell and Djay Braswell on the depth chart?
The offensive line is a bit of a mystery outside of the fact Vershon Lee will start somewhere. Transfers like Kamaar Bell, Torricelli Simpkins, and Aaryn Parks are all hoping to fight their way into the 2-deep.
Robby Ashford isn't going to start at quarterback unless something goes wrong, but with his size and athleticism, he could spell LaNorris Sellers at times in obvious running situations to take some of the load off of the freshman's shoulders. Other than pure gadget plays, the ways Ashford will be used will be practiced this spring.
Is the Brady Hunt hype real at tight end?
On the defensive line, the Gamecock coaching staff added a lot of new talent through the portal despite some prominent names returning. They didn't bring in Deandre Jules, Monkell Goodwine, and Kyle Kennard for no reason, but there are a lot of bodies in the defensive line room, especially at defensive tackle. Gilber Edmond is back to help Kennard make an impact at EDGE.
Bangally Kamara and Demetrius Knight are athletic players at the linebacker position. Will either separate himself as the Gamecocks' 3rd linebacker behind Debo Williams and Bam Martin-Scott?
Gerald Kilgore and Buddy Mack could be solid veteran depth pieces.
Figuring out how all of these players integrate into their position groups will be fascinating to see, and spring practice will be the first opportunity fans will have to see most of these guys in garnet and black.