Hopeful to stay healthy, David Spaulding's mentality for final season at South Carolina
Ever since David Spaulding transferred to South Carolina more than three years ago, injuries have been a constant.
The sixth-year defensive back played in all 13 games in his first season but then only played in four in 2022. He’d miss two games early in the 2023 campaign but managed to see action in 10 games.
Still, he hasn’t been able to stay fully healthy since that first season all the way back in 2021. With this being his final year as a Gamecock, Spaulding has done what he can to take better care of himself with the goal of no more injuries.
“This offseason, I spent a lot of time in the training room with the athletic staff. Just bought into the small details, small muscles and things like that,” he said. “So I spent extra time this offseason doing certain things and certain exercises, taking the time out, and being more detailed with certain spots in my body.”
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Rather than focus on just one area where he may have previously suffered an injury, Spaulding kept up with every part of his body. Even with all this work put in, injuries still happen in a sport like football. But if it does, he’ll be better prepared for it.
“I figured it’s important to not just focus on one thing,” Spaulding said. “You’ve got to focus on the whole body because they all correlate. So I just focus on every small detail, small muscle, everything in my body, so it all correlates and so I won’t have any injuries of that nature.”
When healthy, Spaulding can be a nice player in the secondary for South Carolina. 2021 was statistically speaking his best one, as he finished with 21 tackles, four pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a 74-yard touchdown against Troy.
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Over the last two years, his numbers haven’t been as productive. He’s only recorded 14 tackles and started in two games. But he’s forced one fumble, broken up five passes and made two interceptions.
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In what will be a deep defensive back room, it’s unclear how much time Spaulding will see on the field this year. The key for him is to stay healthy and have strong endurance.
“I’m not worried about making a play, I know the plays are going to come,” he said. “Just staying healthy, having endurance, being on the field, being there for my teammates, and just doing my assignment, doing my jobs. It will help the team win. Really, that’s my biggest goal: to help the team win and be there for my teammates.”
More so than anything, he just wants to make the most of every moment he has left as a Gamecock. What comes after this year is still a mystery. So for now, Spaulding will try to stay in the moment and enjoy this final year of college football.
“It’s been surreal,” Spaulding said. “This is the last one. Just grateful for the opportunity to do it one more time and just being with the guys and the team and soaking everything in all the moments on and off the field. (I’m) just buying into everything, embracing the grind, embracing the hardships and grit. I just have gratitude for it.”
