Jaylen Nichols' spring game injury 'pretty significant'
Early indications on South Carolina left tackle Jaylen Nichols‘ spring game injury were not good and on Tuesday Gamecock football coach Shane Beamer confirmed that Nichols will be out for some time but did not rule out a return for Nichols at some point in 2023.
“Jaylen, as you guys saw in the spring game, suffered a pretty sigificant injury,” Beamer said. “He won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, I’ll say that. Optimistic that the recovery process will go well and we’ll get him back hopefully before the season is over. But he won’t be ready to start the season.”
Nichols went down in the first half of South Carolina’s spring game in mid-April and did not return to the contest with what Beamer at the time called a lower-body injury.
[Subscribe to Gamecock Central until Aug. 31 for only $29.99!]
The Gamecocks’ projected starting left tackle in 2023, the fifth-year Super Senior appeared in 38 games over the past four campaigns including 18 starts.
A versatile blocker, Nichols has started at left guard, right tackle and left tackle in his career.
Last season, Nichols appeared in 12 games, making seven starts, all at left tackle.
[Become an NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!]
Transfer offensive tackle Sidney Fugar went through spring practice as Nichols’ backup at left tackle, though the former Western Illinois starter has no experience at the SEC level.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jim Larranaga
Miami HC set to step down
- 2New
CFP selection process
Urban Meyer predicts changes
- 3
National Championship odds
Updated odds are in
- 4
LaNorris Sellers
South Carolina QB signs NIL deal to return
- 5Hot
CFP home games
Steve Spurrier calls for change
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Left guard Jakai Moore, who played left tackle earlier in his career, seems to be Nichols’ most likely replacement.
The Gamecocks have also been active in the transfer portal on the offensive line, though finding top targets at that position can be difficult.
Beamer confirmed the Nichols injury at a press conference on Tuesday as he introduced new South Carolina defensive line coach Travian Robertson, who he hired on Monday to replace Jimmy Lindsey.
