Torrian Gray breaks down nickel position
South Carolina is no stranger to producing quality nickel backs dating back years and regimes.
The Gamecocks started Jaycee Horn there his freshman season and could have a projected first-round pick at nickel this upcoming season in Cam Smith.
Smith—a preseason all-SEC defensive back—will rep at both nickel and outside corner this fall and has a chance to help at both spots.
“We’re going to plan on playing him at both nickel and corner spots. That’ll be the plan,” defensive backs coach Torrian Gray said. “He wants to do it and I know we love having that versatility to move him around as the game dictates.”
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Smith had a quietly dominant season in 2021. He finished with an 88.4 overall grade from PFF, allowing just 15 receptions on 32 targets for 184 yards for an improved Gamecocks secondary.
He broke up nine passes with three interceptions in an outside cornerback spot.
With a need for someone to just play the spot in spring practice with guys injured, Smith slid inside and thrived there.
He did it enough to make Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks’ defensive staff want to try him there as preseason camp beings this week.
Bouncing between both—with each position requiring a different skill set—can be tough. But South Carolina’s staff is going to try and throw enough at him in August to prepare him for it.
It could be tough. But if that’s the way we practice in fall camp and prepare it can minimize the chance of that being a difficult transition. It can be tough in theory but he’s a good athlete. He’s a smart athlete,” Gray said.
“Then, on the other end, if we move him out to corner, now we have to have multiple guys who can play nickel. It makes us more versatile and gives more depth if we’re able to do those things this fall camp.”
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If the Gamecocks are playing Smith outside, they’ll need to find someone who can play the nickel spot in South Carolina’s 4-2-5 defense.
David Spaulding seems to be the likeliest candidate right now, the most seasoned nickel on the team.
He’s played 395 career snaps, 348 last season at South Carolina, with some good results. He allowed 17 receptions on 25 targets last year for 188 yards with three pass breakups.
Spaulding missed the spring with a shoulder injury. But he’s ready to compete for a starting spot in South Carolina’s preseason camp.
“We’re fortunate to get David Spaulding back healthy,” Gray said. “That’ll be a big help for us. Then outside of that we’re training a lot of guys.”
After that, it will be a host of younger players who will fill in the gaps. Preseason practice begins Aug. 5.
“You’re going to need more bodies. Marcellas Dial is learning nickel,” Gray said. “Freshman Nick Emmanwori is learning nickel. Joey Hunter is healthy and he’s going to be playing nickel for us. We have a lot of bodies and guys we’re putting at that spot.”
