Skip to main content
south-carolina logo

Shane Beamer talks potential impact freshmen

On3 imageby:Collyn Taylor•05/16/22•

collyntaylor

South Carolina defensive lineman TJ Sanders during a preseason practice
TJ Sanders (Chris Gillespie/GamecockCentral)

The spring is always an incredibly valuable evaluation tool for coaches, South Carolina’s included, especially for the freshmen class.

The Gamecocks didn’t have many early enrollees for spring practice, but Shane Beamer said there are a few the staff would like to continue developing to get ready to play early in 2022.

“I think about Donovan Westmoreland or—he’s really a redshirt freshman—but TJ Sanders. Those are two guys who got better as the spring went on,” Shane Beamer said. “Coming out of spring practice you say we need to continue to really ramp up their development because they can help us pretty quickly.”

Sanders was largely the talk of spring practice but Westmoreland could easily see the field in year one in large part because of talent and necessity.

The Gamecocks are thin at edge rusher with not much experience behind Jordan Strachan and Jordan Burch and Westmoreland could fit into that rotation in some capacity.

South Carolina will also likely rely some on incoming freshman Bryan Thomas as well.

“We’re still looking for pass rushers. We signed Bryan Thomas,” Beamer said. “He’s a guy who wasn’t here during spring practice. But when he comes in we need to see if he can help us rush the passer in the fall.”

Beamer also mentioned that the Gamecocks need to find more options in the secondary as well, especially at safety.

South Carolina is relatively thin there also and will have to have some freshmen step up there. That includes a few early enrollees like Peyton Williams and Anthony Rose.

The Gamecocks will also have a few defensive backs enrolling over the summer.

“Then some of those defensive backs—Kajuan Banks, Emory Floyd, Keenan Nelson—who weren’t here during spring practice. If you look at our defense, you would say where is there the least amount of depth? I would say safety. Look at the safety position and those guys are all guys who could potentially fit in there,” Beamer said.

“It’s not one certain person. It’s more to me where the depth isn’t quite where we need it to be. Then let’s figure out who can help us pretty quickly when we get to preseason camp.”

South Carolina will need to figure things out quickly as camp rapidly approaches.

The Gamecocks start summer workouts at the beginning of June with some team stuff built-in as well. Beamer said this is the first year the NCAA is allowing staff to work with teams on the field during the summer with a ball, which will be beneficial.

Then it’s all about figuring out which young players can help early in the year.

“You can get out there and watch them run around and get a pretty good idea about this guy athletically and moves around pretty good. Then when they’re in the weight room with Luke Day and his staff in the summertime you’re getting an idea of where they are physically,” he said.

“You get a decent idea before you start practice. But I think early on…certainly to me in the first five or six practices you get a decent idea skill set-wise if a guy can help you.”

You may also like