Josh Vann balancing busy home life while finding role at South Carolina

Most University of South Carolina student-athletes only have to worry about doing well in the classroom and on the field or court. Josh Vann does all that plus fatherhood.

Vann raises his nearly 11-month-old daughter while playing football and going to class. It hasn’t been the easiest lifestyle as he tries to chisel out a role offensively.

“It’s been tough coming here playing football, being a dad, and then going to school, it’s a lot to juggle, but I’m the man of the house, I got to get it done,” he said.

“I just want to set a good standard for her to know that I got her back, for this team that I got their back, whatever they need me to do. It ain’t been what we all expected from me coming into this year, but at the same time just got to go out there and do what I got to do.”

Vann, who is a fifth-year player, said being a dad is a lot of hard work but he’s taking it “day by day.”

“There are some tough days at home,” Vann said. “I think last week, (my daughter) just got over a cold, so that’s been tough. Waking up at four o’clock in the morning to make a bottle—she just got off formula—so now we are on almond milk, but we don’t have a bottle warmer. So we got to put the milk in the microwave, make sure it’s not too hot, and got to put a finger in there. It’s a lot.”

“Seeing her grow, it’s been an experience.”

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The sleepless nights at home aren’t the only problem Vann has faced this year. After being South Carolina’s leading receiver a year ago, he hasn’t found that same success this season.

In seven games, he’s caught seven passes for 70 yards and no touchdowns. There have been multiple games where he didn’t catch any passes. Around this time last season, he had tallied 431 yards and two scores.

Vann admitted it has been “a little frustrating” for him to not be the Gamecocks’ top target.

“I guess coming off the season I had last year, I was thinking this year was just going to be a climb, but I’m not saying it hasn’t,” he said. “I did find other things to work on whether it’s blocking or playing without the ball. All the little tweaks and things that I need to work on.”

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He might not be as heavily involved in the passing game, but he’s found another way to make an impact. He’s been South Carolina’s go-to punt returner.

Vann has returned nine punts for 114 yards, with 12.7 yards per return. He almost scored a 75-yard touchdown off a punt against Charlotte on Sept. 24. But the play was negated by an illegal block in the back penalty. He’s currently ranked No. 9 in the NCAA as a punt returner.

His play has only helped South Carolina play better in all three phases as of late. The Gamecocks are winners of their last four games. They also have become nationally ranked, sitting at No. 25 in the AP Poll.

“We pride ourselves very hard on it. We go over it every day,” Vann said. “Coach (Pete) Lembo, like I said, he literally has real plays. Like for offense. He has real plays on special teams. So I’m pretty sure many special teams have a couple of calls. Coach Lembo has a whole list of things that we can do on special teams.”

If anything, succeeding as a specialist now will help Vann prepare for the pros.

“I may go to the next level and I may be on special teams for my whole career,” he said. “So having this staff here, being so hard on special teams, it’s a wonderful thing.”

Vann hasn’t ruled out the possibility of becoming a threat in South Carolina’s offense once again. He caught two passes for an average of 20.5 yards per catch last week against Texas A&M. It might not be groundbreaking but it’s a step in the right direction.

“For me, it is good to see the targets going up more,” Vann said. “I just can’t get complacent and get a big head. Somebody told me when the time comes I got to be ready for the play…So I’m just always staying humble and keep on thanking God for all the opportunities that come my way.”

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