Recap, interviews: What South Carolina football players said on Wednesday

On Wednesday, six South Carolina football players met with the media to provide an update after nine spring practices.

Those players included linebacker Demetrius Knight II, running back Oscar Adaway III, defensive back Jalon Kilgore, defensive David Spaulding, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, and running back Jaward Howell.

Below are some of what each had to say, as well as links to each to their full press conferences.

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LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT Jr.

– Spring practices have been going well as he gets to know everybody after transferring in from Charlotte. Adds that spring ball has been flying along. Using this opportunity to be prepared knowing that when they get back on campus for fall campus, things will move even faster.

– Calls Debo Williams a high-energy guy who is not only one of the leaders of the defense but one of the leaders on the team as a whole. Debo won’t let you get too high or too low. He’s been one of the people Knight has a bounced opinions off of as well as asking questions to as he learns USC’s defense.

– One of his strengths is his speed. Shares that during the winter workouts he was clocked running 21.8 miles per hour. Keep in mind, Knight is listed at 6-2, 247 pounds.

RB OSCAR ADAWAY III

– Things have been going well. Has really enjoyed his time in Columbia. With the RB room being banged up he’s been able to get a lot of reps. Calls it a blessing now that he’s getting SEC reps

– Says Howell is looking good and doing his thing. Jokes because he’s so young he’s not even a man yet but he’s been holding his own against older players

– Biggest transition has just been adjusting to the increase speed and size of that SEC. Feels like just being out there it feels like football and things are starting to slow down

– He’s been improving with his pass pro, that’s been the biggest area he’s focused on a lot this spring. Wants to be a complete back and be available as much as he can

– Says he’s opted into the NCAA Football video game. Calls it a dream of his and says he’ll be throwing himself in there maybe at different positions.

DB JALON KILGORE

– Feels much more comfortable this spring compared to last year. Knows more about “why” he’s doing things compared to a year ago

– The DBs feel more comfortable with him playing nickel DQ and Emmanwori at safety. DQ and Emmanwori have been practicing at nickel as well, which gives them cross training to play all three at safety

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– With playing nickel, he feels like he knows more about the position rather than the opponent. Last year was his first time play nickel and he didn’t have as much time to learn the “why.”

– The biggest difference he feels like with playing nickel is that he’s in coverage more. Reiterated how much more comfortable he continues to feel playing it now.

– Says he’s opted into the NCAA Football video game.

DB DAVID SPAULDING

– Grateful to still be playing the game he loves. Through all his injuries, he’s learned to appreciate playing more and more. It’s been a challenge but he says it’s made him a better person.

– Hasn’t opted into the NCAA Football video game yet but plans to.

– When playing nickel, he’s learned that it comes down to having good feet, good hands, and good eyes. A lot of reacting with having to go up against quick WRs in the slot

LB BAM MARTIN-SCOTT

– Has been getting work at every spot at linebacker (in and out). Willing to do whatever he needs to stay on the field

– Finishing the season as strong as he did has definitely given him an added boost of confidence. Feels like it’s allowed the rest of the country to know what type of ball player he is and now

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– Freshman Fred Johnson and Wendall Gregory are learning quickly and are doing well.

– Says he has opted into the NCAA Football video game.

RB JAWARN HOWELL

– Former SC State HC. and USC assistant coach Buddy Pough, told him that it was gonna be hard and that the game speed was gonna be faster. Says Buddy helped prepare him well but everything he expected at USC has been the case. Adds that he wants to keeping getting better to play at the next level one day

– Improving in pass pro and as a pass catcher are areas he’s been able to work more on with the extra reps with the RB room being a little banged up

– This is his first spring ball, since he didn’t go through spring ball last year at SC State. Says it’s been very beneficial with learning the details of the offense, since things are slower at this time of the year vs being in season mode

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