Football
VIDEOS: Football Assistant Coach News Conferences
Greg Adkins, Jimmy Lindsey, Jody Wright Address Reporters
Offensive line coach Greg
Adkins, defensive line coach Jimmy
Lindsey and tight ends coach Jody
Wright spoke with reporters at a news conference
after practice Thursday.
South Carolina football held its eighth practice of the spring on Thursday morning inside the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility. Here’s a look at the day’s happenings:
With Bell shelved and Oklahoma transfer Austin Stogner still finishing classes in Norman, South Carolina is desperately thin at tight end. Traevon Kenion, Jesse Sanders and receiver Chad Terrell were the only three players consistently working with new tight ends coach Jody Wright during the first part of Thursday’s practice. Offensive lineman Wyatt Campbell also wore a No. 80 jersey, indicating he could get time as an eligible receiver or extra blocker on the edge at some point.
Running back Juju McDowell wore a blue non-contact jersey on Thursday. Head coach Shane Beamer hasn’t publicly addressed McDowell’s status, but the second-year tailback worked through most, if not all, of the positional work during the viewing window. The Georgia native finished his first fall in Columbia with 695 all-purpose yards including 248 yards rushing in 12 games last fall and is expected to contribute again in 2022.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd and receivers Xavier Legette and Payton Mangrum returned kicks during the special teams portion of the day. Lloyd has drawn rave reviews this spring as he continues working back from a torn ACL that ended his 2020 season in the preseason. Legette, too, has been lauded for his work in the offseason.
Wide back Jaheim Bell, safety Tyrese Ross and defensive backs Joey Hunter and walk-on Cornelius Alexander Jr. worked through varying rehab exercises with the Gamecocks strength staff. Bell has been hampered by a hamstring, though Beamer hasn’t ruled out his return this spring. Ross is one of only a handful of experienced pieces at safety alongside Central Michigan transfer Devonni Reed and veteran returner R.J. Roderick.
James Madison transfer receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. looked the part of a possible game-changer in 2022. The sample size was minuscule, but Wells was speedy out of his breaks and fluid in his pass-catching while running routes against air on Thursday. He’s drawn praise from teammates and staff members throughout the spring and profiles as a dynamic complement to 2021 leading receiver Josh Vann.