Byrnes product Nick Jones awaits larger role with Gamecocks
When former South Carolina star Alshon Jeffery announced his decision to turn pro after his junior season, the USC offense lost its unquestioned go-to receiver.
Jeffery’s production likely won’t be replaced by one player, but the Gamecocks have a number of guys who are looking to step up and take advantage of the opportunity for more targets. One candidate for an increased workload is redshirt sophomore Nick Jones.
Jones, a former Byrnes standout now in his third year in the Carolina program, believes he’ll have a chance to make more plays this season.
“This is going into my third year now, my second year playing. It’s been a challenge over the years. I feel like my role on this team should be a lot more, and I’m ready to step up and contribute,” he said.
USC coach Steve Spurrier said that despite the departure of Jeffery, the passing game has looked better so far this preseason than in years past.
“We’ve been impressed with our quarterbacks and our receivers thus far. I told the guys (during a recent practice) we’re actually hitting more passes than we ever have around here,” he said.
“Dylan Thompson (Boiling Springs) and Connor Shaw, they both seem to know where to throw the ball and when to throw it, and the receivers are running pretty good routes. So hopefully that will carry over. We don’t know yet, but we hope and believe we’re going to have a better passing game.”
Jones believes that he’ll be a part of the improved passing game. He said he worked hard during the offseason to improve certain areas of his game, and that his efforts will pay off.
“This year I’m really trying to take the next step in improving my speed, coming off the ball harder, catching a lot more balls and yards after the catch. I’m pretty sure I can contribute a lot this year.”
Jones finished 2011 as the Gamecocks’ sixth leading receiver, hauling in 12 catches for 143 yards and a score. He played in 10 of Carolina’s 13 games.
In the first depth chart of the 2012 season, which was released Monday, Jones is listed alongside K.J. Brent as one of the backups behind senior D.L. Moore.
Moore, Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington are listed as the three starting receivers. DeAngelo Smith, Damiere Byrd and highly-touted freshman Shaq Roland join Jones and Brent as reserves that should get playing time.
Jones said that while people don’t know a whole lot about the new-look receiving corps yet, they should soon.
“We feel like we have a lot of people out there that people don’t know about. It’s going to get real scary out there,” he said. link: http://bleacherrepor...rolina-football
When former South Carolina star Alshon Jeffery announced his decision to turn pro after his junior season, the USC offense lost its unquestioned go-to receiver.
Jeffery’s production likely won’t be replaced by one player, but the Gamecocks have a number of guys who are looking to step up and take advantage of the opportunity for more targets. One candidate for an increased workload is redshirt sophomore Nick Jones.
Jones, a former Byrnes standout now in his third year in the Carolina program, believes he’ll have a chance to make more plays this season.
“This is going into my third year now, my second year playing. It’s been a challenge over the years. I feel like my role on this team should be a lot more, and I’m ready to step up and contribute,” he said.
USC coach Steve Spurrier said that despite the departure of Jeffery, the passing game has looked better so far this preseason than in years past.
“We’ve been impressed with our quarterbacks and our receivers thus far. I told the guys (during a recent practice) we’re actually hitting more passes than we ever have around here,” he said.
“Dylan Thompson (Boiling Springs) and Connor Shaw, they both seem to know where to throw the ball and when to throw it, and the receivers are running pretty good routes. So hopefully that will carry over. We don’t know yet, but we hope and believe we’re going to have a better passing game.”
Jones believes that he’ll be a part of the improved passing game. He said he worked hard during the offseason to improve certain areas of his game, and that his efforts will pay off.
“This year I’m really trying to take the next step in improving my speed, coming off the ball harder, catching a lot more balls and yards after the catch. I’m pretty sure I can contribute a lot this year.”
Jones finished 2011 as the Gamecocks’ sixth leading receiver, hauling in 12 catches for 143 yards and a score. He played in 10 of Carolina’s 13 games.
In the first depth chart of the 2012 season, which was released Monday, Jones is listed alongside K.J. Brent as one of the backups behind senior D.L. Moore.
Moore, Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington are listed as the three starting receivers. DeAngelo Smith, Damiere Byrd and highly-touted freshman Shaq Roland join Jones and Brent as reserves that should get playing time.
Jones said that while people don’t know a whole lot about the new-look receiving corps yet, they should soon.
“We feel like we have a lot of people out there that people don’t know about. It’s going to get real scary out there,” he said. link: http://bleacherrepor...rolina-football
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