OrTre Smith expected to be full-go for spring football at South Carolina
Feb. 01, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – OrTre Smith arrived at South Carolina in early January with a walking boot as he recovered from ankle surgery.
But the Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Wando product soon ditched the boot, saying he wore it for just a week at South Carolina. Now, South Carolina coach Will Muschamp expects Smith to be full-go come spring football at the end of the month.
“He is working with our medical staff and he is really progressing extremely well,” Muschamp said. “I would expect for him to be cleared right at spring practice, which starts February 25. We are going to have four practices and then spring break and he could be cleared after we come back. One or the other.
“I want to see how far he progresses in these next three weeks to make sure he is fully cleared before we put him out there.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Smith suffered the ankle injury during his senior season and missed the final few games. He signed with South Carolina and graduated early, but took part in a signing day ceremony for the early enrollees Wednesday at South Carolina.
Smith is expected to contribute early in his career as the Gamecocks continue to look to add talent at wide receiver. He said the biggest early adjustment to college football has been learning time management, a common refrain from the four early enrollees. He also said the workouts have been much different than what he experienced in high school.
For Smith, those workouts have been focused on bringing him back to health by the time spring football rolls around.
“I am starting to run a little bit on the ultra-G, weight bearing treadmill,” Smith said. “I have tape on my ankle, so it feels fine. I can move a little bit just walking around.”
SECCOUNTRY
Feb. 01, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – OrTre Smith arrived at South Carolina in early January with a walking boot as he recovered from ankle surgery.
But the Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Wando product soon ditched the boot, saying he wore it for just a week at South Carolina. Now, South Carolina coach Will Muschamp expects Smith to be full-go come spring football at the end of the month.
“He is working with our medical staff and he is really progressing extremely well,” Muschamp said. “I would expect for him to be cleared right at spring practice, which starts February 25. We are going to have four practices and then spring break and he could be cleared after we come back. One or the other.
“I want to see how far he progresses in these next three weeks to make sure he is fully cleared before we put him out there.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Smith suffered the ankle injury during his senior season and missed the final few games. He signed with South Carolina and graduated early, but took part in a signing day ceremony for the early enrollees Wednesday at South Carolina.
Smith is expected to contribute early in his career as the Gamecocks continue to look to add talent at wide receiver. He said the biggest early adjustment to college football has been learning time management, a common refrain from the four early enrollees. He also said the workouts have been much different than what he experienced in high school.
For Smith, those workouts have been focused on bringing him back to health by the time spring football rolls around.
“I am starting to run a little bit on the ultra-G, weight bearing treadmill,” Smith said. “I have tape on my ankle, so it feels fine. I can move a little bit just walking around.”
SECCOUNTRY
