Coordinators shed some light on position battles out of camp
This week South Carolina released its first unofficial depth chart of the year.
While it’s nothing binding—just ask one of the coaches and they’ll reiterate that—it does give some clarity on position battles in camp.
The biggest offensively was Dylan Wonnum solidifying the right tackle spot. Tyshawn Wannamaker is still in the fold as a reserve.
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“I mean, not to sound too coachy here but Dylan will be the starter but Tyshawn is going to play. We feel like we have eight or nine really good guys up front that can play multiple positions,” Marcus Satterfield said.
“Dylan’s done a nice job and he’s played a lot of football and he’s experienced. He’s in shape and has battled back from his back. He’s looked really good in pass protection. Tyshawn has as well. He’s going to have a role on this team.”
Wonnum started the first half of last season before a back injury sidelined him, paving the way for Wannamaker to start.
The Gamecocks did have a few “OR” spots, most notably receiver, but the few battles left were on the defensive side of things and on special teams.
Mo Kaba beat out Sherrod Greene for the starting middle linebacker spot, having a solid camp and spring boarding that into the season.
“Mo Kaba is one of those football players who I think was born to play football. Just his mentality, his intensity he brings to practice,” Clayton White said. “The way he practices and the way he plays with his physicality and skill set makes him a really good linebacker.”
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He’s someone the staff is very high on and will have a big role in South Carolina’s defense.
“The main thing with him is his physical makeup. He’s 6-foot-2, 240 (pounds) and runs very well,” White said. “He has some things he wants to work on, too. As far as getting off blocks and diagnosing plays and reading and reacting versus being reactive on plays. His skill set to me is he can run, he can hit and he has range. He can also play inside.”
There are still a few jobs up for grabs, and one big one at placekicker.
For special teams coordinator Pete Lembo, he says the hay is never in the barn and that’s a spot that will go up until game day.
The Gamecocks have two days of practice left before kicking off against Georgia State with Mitch Jeter and Alex Herrera battling it out.
“Mitch Jeter has done a really nice job kicking off. He’s clearly our kickoff guy. Then we’ll make a decision later in the week relative to field goal kicker and relative to holder,” Lembo said. “I expect a lot of our guys to play in this game. I’m not opposite to making moves week to week, situationally, in-game.”
Kai Kroeger is expected to be available Saturday, according to Lembo, but Herrera is listed as the OR on punter as well.
Lembo is high, though, on the depth at the specialist positions.
We’ve got four guys who can hold right now that I feel really, really confident in. We have three guys who can punt,” he said. “We have two guys who can kick off and kick field goals. I feel really good about our group and our depth.”
