Freshman o-line class continues to create buzz
South Carolina’s three-man offensive line class has continued to create a buzz this spring, despite the trio of top prospects only being on campus for three months.
After signing arguably the best high school offensive line class in school history in 2023, the Gamecocks followed it up with another strong class in 2024 featuring five-star Josiah Thompson, four-star Kam Pringle, and three-star Blake Franks.
The trio of in-state signees all enrolled early at South Carolina to go through spring practice, and have steadily drawn praise from the coaching staff.
“I’ve been pleased with the freshmen who just got here,” offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley said last week. “They all should be still in high school. But what they have done is they work really hard to learn, one, what we’re asking from the techniques and fundamentals, and now they’ve got to put that together with us. They’ve got to work the playbook. And those guys do extra work. They come in because they want to be good. So they’ve been working really hard at it, really pleased with that group.”
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South Carolina played two true freshmen on its offensive line last season as offensive tackle Tree Babalade and guard Trovon Baugh were forced into action, despite neither having the chance to go through spring practice.
This year’s crop of newcomers is not only getting the opportunity to go through spring but also spends every day facing off with a veteran defensive front.
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“They’re going through spring practice, having to block Tonka Hemingway and TJ Sanders and Boogie Huntley and DeAndre Jules, guys that are five years older than them and have played college football at a high level for a while now,” head Shane Beamer said. “And the moment’s not too big for them, but they’re going through some growing pains and they’re going to be so much better for it come August because they’re going through that right now and not going through it for the first time in August. So they’re making progress and really proud of those guys.”
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Of the trio, Thompson enrolled with the highest outside expectations considering his five-star status from On3. The Dillon (S.C.) standout was ranked the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 16 overall prospect by the site.
A likely future starter, Thompson has been rotating in at left tackle, arguably the most important position on the line, this spring.
“He’s been doing really good,” Teasley said. “He’s a really gifted mover. So that stuff comes natural to him. And then what he’s really done a really good job of is getting in the weight room and getting with (nutritionist) Yimy (Queipo Rodriguez) and (strength coach) Luke (Day). and adding the bulk to his frame. So he’s done a good job with football, with the nutrition, the weight room, just becoming that complete player. But he’s doing really good. We’re happy we have him.”
