What Shane Beamer said in his Tuesday press conference
Following South Carolina’s 15th practice of fall camp, head coach Shane Beamer spoke to the local media on Tuesday. Here’s what he had to say.
— This is South Carolina’s mock game week. They will have a lot of guys playing their first game at USC next week. So this week is identical to what they’ll do in a normal game week. They’ll do a mock game with anything situational on Friday. Saturday will be their last day off until the bye week.
RELATED: What does it mean for LaNorris Sellers to be named starter and what are fair expectations? [LIMITED TIME: 50% OFF of annual memberships! Join NOW and use promo code KICKOFF24]
— Injury report: Emory Floyd has a lower body issue. Should be fine for ODU. Aaryn Parks is probably doubtful for next week after getting his ankle rolled up.
— LaNorris Sellers has officially been named QB1. Not going to rotate QBs every few plays but both him and Robby Ashford need to continue to progress.
— They’ve had Gilber Edmond, more so than Dre Jacobs, talk about Florida State going undefeated last year and what he saw in Tallahassee has been good.
— Consistency has been the main factor with Sellers. Both QBs have been really good. But Sellers continues to get better every week. He’s done what they’ve asked him to do.
— With deciding how many WRs travel, it will depend on what those guys can do. Special teams will be a big part of it. Could be roughly 8 or 9. Has a preliminary 74 guys who will travel for the first away game, with nine being WR. But that can always change.
— There’s always a chance Ashford could be used in certain packages. It changes every week. He can make good things happen when the ball is in his hands.
— Davis Beville left a scholarship at OU to come here as a walk-on. He’s done what he’s supposed to do.
— Mazeo Bennett is a gamer. When the lights come on, he’s always making a play. At a 7on7 camp here, Beamer saw a light switch flip with Bennett back then and it’s the same now. He’s accountable and makes plays. He’s going to play a lot next Saturday.
— In the LB room, those guys all complement each other very well. All those players have been very good in camp so far. That’s a room with a lot of competition. All are continuing to push and make each other better. Very deep room and more athletic.
— First games stink because there’s always the unknown. First games are just different. You can prepare for everything you want but until there’s 80,000 people and the lights are on, it’s different.
— Wants the QBs to continue to develop a rapport with the players they’ll be throwing to in the offense. That’s still a work in progress. Feels pretty good defensively, still trying to figure out depth in the secondary behind DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori.
— Debo Williams has a certain respect level from his teammates. The way he goes about his business, no one can question how physical he is and how invested he is in football. You see the violence he plays with on the field. Not afraid to be vocal and hold his teammates accountable.
— Sellers’ exact words to being named QB1 were “Okay”. Didnt see the text before the team meeting but told him on the practice field.
— Bam Martin-Scott is poised for a huge year. There are a lot of NFL teams that are excited about him. He’s a big body that can run and be athletic. Last year, he gained confidence defensively. He can play sideline to sideline, good on special teams. He’s got high expectations as he should.
— Dowell Loggains and Mike Shula have done a great job with the QB room. They did a redzone competition period last week with the offense and defense. It came down to where the next score would win it. Sellers threw a TD to win it. The first one to come off the sideline to celebrate was Ashford. Told him afterwards that was a pretty cool moment. He’s come so far since he got here. He makes the program better.
— There have been some things that have kept Gage Larvadain from being 100 percent right now. He’s a really good competitor, an athletic guy that can help in a lot of different ways.
— Josiah Thompson and Dylan Stewart were highly recruited out of high school. Being named freshman All-Americans by On3, it’s a testament to the way this coaching staff has recruited. They are poised to play a lot this year. It’s a testament to the way they’ve handled themselves since January. They’ve put the work in. They’re poised to have big seasons.
— Teams are getting the ball out quick. They spread you out. Offenses are doing a better job of putting defensive ends in tough situations when it comes to trying to get a sack. It’s not any easier. But recruiting guys like Stewart helps a lot. There’s been some changes to the game that have made it tougher.
— Sellers’ size and speed can definitely help him this year. He’s a winner, referenced leading South Florence to a championship back in high school. He’s an unbelievable young man. You add his poise and consistency, there’s a lot of things to like about him.
