South Carolina Football Redshirt Report

Thanks to Glenn Snyder for writing this article in the October 26th edition of the Spurs and Feathers publication. This article was written prior to the Tennessee football game.

It’s a sign of the times in college football today that a lot of true freshmen play and contribute. Marcus Lattimore last year and Jadeveon Clowney this season are a testament to that fact. It’s also a good sign of a program’s progress to see two-thirds of a class redshirt. To date, ten of the 29 signees in the 2011 class who made it into school are seeing playing time.

With the open date, we thought this was an ideal time for Spurs & Feathers to sit down for our annual exclusive interview with the Head Ball Coach to catch up with who is playing and who is not. What follows is what Coach Steve Spurrier has to say about this year’s freshman class.

TE Jerrell Adams: He’s been placed at Fork Union (Va.) Military for this semester. “We think Jerrell is doing well and we think he is going to qualify and going to be here in January. Jerrell has a chance to really be a big-time tight end. He’s a big kid and obviously has gained some weight. He will be in the mix next spring.

TE Rory “Buster” Anderson: He has played in all seven games and has three receptions for 67 yards for a best-on-the-team 22.3 yards per catch average. “We thought he might be redshirted but he’s one of our two tight ends with Justice Cunningham. Buster still makes a few mistakes here and there, but he has done well for a true freshman.”

OG Kaleb Broome: A transfer from Georgia Military College, it was hoped that Broome would compete for significant playing time. That didn’t happen and he is being redshirted and is on the scout team. “Kaleb has struggled. Hopefully he can have a very good offseason working at getting quicker. Strength-wise he’s OK, but he needs to improve his agility.”

WR Damiere Byrd: Served a four-game suspension for a compliance issue at the start of the season. He has played in the last three games but has just one catch for 16 yards. “We used him a bit but we haven’t gotten the ball in his hands as much as we had hoped to. Damiere has potential. He’s a fast kid; he can catch and run with it. We need him to make some big plays down the stretch, especially with Marcus gone.”

RB Shon Carson: He made a quick impact in preseason drills and had taken over the backup spot to Lattimore before he suffered a knee injury on his first carry of the Georgia game. He should receive a medical redshirt. “Shon was very impressive in preseason practice and scrimmages and was a better running back than we had anticipated. He had actually moved up right behind Marcus after Kenny (Miles) had problems with his wrist. He is a very good back, quick, tough and knows what to do. Shon should come back 100 percent.”

DB Ahmad Christian: He is a redshirt and playing on the scout team. We think Ahmad will be ready to help next year. He got a little bit behind a lot of the other guys here, so we’re redshirting him, but he should be ready to go in the spring.”

LB Cedrick Cooper: Redshirt and is on the scout team. “Cedrick is a very good athlete. We have high hopes that he has a chance to start next year. What was neat is that he looked forward to redshirting. He was smart enough to realize that a year goes by fast and then you’ve got four more. Cedrick is our linebacker of the future.”

DL Phillip Dukes: Redshirt, scout team. “Phillip has been very impressive and gives our ‘O’ line everything they need in scout team work. Travian (Robertson) leaves after this year and Dukes will have the opportunity to get that spot next year. He is very athletic and getting stronger.”

DL Gerald Dixon and Gerald Dixon, Jr.: Both players are redshirts and on the scout team. “They both are on the scout team and doing well. There is a chance that if we get stacked up and have too many defensive linemen, one of them could come play offense. We will let that play out during spring practice.”

DE Jadaveon Clowney: He has shown everything expected of the nation’s No. 1 recruit. Through seven games, he had 22 tackles, nine solo with 7.0 for loss, four quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, 5.0 sacks and is tied for the lead nationally in forced fumbles with four. “Jadaveon has had some excellent games. He plays hard. We need him to learn his assignments a little better but he doesn’t make many mistakes because we’ve kept it pretty simple. We need to turn him loose more but he’s done well.”

DL Deon Green: Redshirt, scout team. Hurt a knee and had surgery before fall camp. “Deon is a defensive end coming off of his surgery and I see him in the weight room all the time. Coach (Brad) Lawing is really impressed with him and he should be fine next year.”

OL Kyle Harris: He has played sparingly. “Kyle has played a little bit here and there and is just learning how to play. Coach (Shawn) Elliott thinks he’s a tough kid that’s going to be a good player for us. He needs to get bigger and stronger like most of them do.”
LB Mason Harris: Redshirt, scout team. “Mason is doing fine as an outside linebacker, Spur-type player. He is a fast player that gives great effort. He can really rush the passer.”

WR Shamier Jeffery: Redshirt, scout team. “We do those little Monday night scrimmages with the freshmen and Shamier is coming along nicely. He is a lot like Alshon, super hands, the ability to catch it. He should be ready to go next year.”

DB Kadetrix Marcus: Redshirt, scout team. “J.J. is playing a little bit on special teams. He has a wonderful attitude and we think he’s going to be a very good player. He could play corner or safety.”

DB Ronnie Martin: Attending Junior College. “We thought Ronnie had great potential as a lockdown corner. He has great speed and cover skills. We don’t know if he’s going to be a one-year or two-year JC player.”

DB Martay Mattox: He has played. “He plays a little bit here and there, mostly on special teams. He has a lot to learn because he played quarterback in high school and now he’s playing defensive back. Martay has ability; he’s just getting trained on how to play.”

OL Mike Matulis: He has played and had a not-so-successful start against Auburn. “He’s not ready as a true freshman. Mike is a good solid year away from being ready, but he’s got some skills and now he knows what it’s like to play in the SEC.”

QB Tanner McEvoy: Redshirt, scout team. “Tanner is coming around. He’s working on his throwing motion, still has a little hesitation. He does good work on the scout team and he has a chance in the spring.”
OL Quincy McKinney: He’s been placed at Fork Union (Va.) Military. “He’s an ‘O’ lineman that Coach Elliott likes a lot, but to be honest, we’re not sure if Quincy will make his test score. We won’t know his status until December.”

LB Edward Muldrow: Has played on special teams. “Edward had a few issues when he first got here, but he’s going to class and doing fine now. He’s a good special teams player. He’s a fast, active player that plays that Antonio Allen Spur position.”

TE Drew Owens: Redshirt, scout team. “Drew is coming around. He had some freshman issues that got him into a little bit of trouble, but he’s all straight now. He did have a car wreck the other day. Someone hit him from the rear and he got a concussion from that, but he’s back out at practice. Drew is a big, strong kid that should be a good tight end for us.”

DL Kelcy Quarles: Has played in six games with 13 tackles, six solo, 1.0 for loss and 4.0 quarterback hurries. “Kelcy is playing a lot. He rotates in there at defensive line. He sprained his shoulder a bit (Mississippi State) but he should be OK for Tennessee. Kelcy brings some fire and energy and has got a lot of spunk to him, which is good to see.”
LB Marquis Roberts: Redshirt, injured. “Marquis had shoulder surgery so he should be ready to play next year. He is coming around without his shoulder in a sling, getting well, and he should be ready for spring practice. He will be at the Spur position.”

DB Sheldon Royster: Redshirt, scout team. “Sheldon has a medical issue that sort of hampers him at times, but he’s doing OK. I keep thinking he’s going to be ready to play, but none of the other guys have gotten hurt, so he’s a little bit behind them. If there is a chance we’ll redshirt him this year.”

OL Brandon Shell: The PARADE All-American was the most anticipated offensive line signee of the 2011 class, but has found the adjustment harder than expected. “Brandon needs to get a little quicker, be more aggressive, get a little stronger. He can be a big-time player. He knew he wasn’t ready to play this year and the good thing is, he knew he wasn’t ready. We have high hopes that he’s going to be a three, four-year starter for us starting next year.”

OL Will Sport: Redshirt, scout team. ”Big Will is a redshirt offensive lineman that needs to get stronger and quicker. Coach Elliott believes that he can help us, if not next year maybe the third year, which for an offensive lineman there is nothing wrong with that. Will is a good worker in the weight room and has a chance to be a good player for us.”
LB Angelo Watley: Redshirt, injury. “Angelo is another linebacker just out of a sling from shoulder surgery. He should also be ready for spring practice and is another one who could play the outside linebacker, Spur position.”

RB Brandon Wilds: Has played in all seven games with 13 rushes for 78 yards (5.8 ypc). He is expected to start versus Tennessee. “Like Shon, we didn’t know Brandon was this good a player until he started running with it and hitting holes and going forward. He came in during summer workouts and worked hard in the weight room. I think he is a better athlete than a year ago.”

DB Brison Williams: Suffered a broken arm in fall camp but has returned to play in two games and recorded four tackles, three solo. “Brison is healed up now, wears a little rubber cast over it. At one time he was set to be a starter back there but right now he’s a backup safety. We’re happy to have him out there.”

***WR K.J. Brent: Per a conversation with Dexter Hudson, Editor of Spurs and Feathers, Brent was left out of the printed article, but he is a redshirt this season, as well.

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My next blog will be Friday afternoon with my five keys to a USC victory over Arkansas.

Go Gamecocks!