Recap, interviews: What South Carolina offensive players said on Monday
On Monday, six South Carolina offensive players met with the media for the first time this spring.
Those players included quarterback LaNorris Sellers, athlete Luke Doty, quarterback Robby Ashford, wide receiver Gage Larvadain, offensive lineman Vershon Lee and tight end Josh Simon.
Below are some of what each had to say, as well as links to each of their full press conferences.
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QB Robby Ashford
– Playing in a a more pro ready offense than what he’s used to. Calls the competition high in the QB room
– Trying not to step on toes but with playing QB naturally you have to be a leader. Is the type of player who leads by example and will speak up only when he needs to. Over time, will become more comfortable as he continues to figure out his teammate and the building. Joked that he still gets loss from time to time.
– Says freshman QB Dante Reno will do some special things at USC. Says for a guy who should still be in high school getting ready for senior prom, he’s been holding his own and while going through the growing pains that come with being a freshman.
– He wants Gamecock Nation to know that regardless if they win or lose he’s gonna “empty the tank” and “give everything” that he’s got.
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– When talking about the RB room, mentioned Juju McDowell first. Called him a great teammate who brings a lot of leadership and knowledge to their offensive room.
– Says Luke Doty has been taking on a bigger leadership role and someone that can do it all
– Gives a shoutout to the TE/OL rooms. “Coach (Shawn) Elliott is different. He brings the juice.” Says they want to have the identify of being a physical offense and he’s instilling that “dawg” mentality
– How has he grown since being a freshman as he heads into competing to be QB1 at South Carolina? He understands that it’s a business. Some things might not go the way you want but you need to keep working hard and have fun with it.
ATH Luke Doty
– Calls Ashford a great athlete and somebody that can make plays. Recalls when the two were competing at the Elite 11 coming out of high school and it’s funny how life calls full circle.
– Doty shares that he’s been working with the WRs, QBs, and getting work on special teams. Says it’s very similar to what they were having him towards the end of last season. Just preparing him both physically and mentality for every possible situation that could come his way.
– Over the years he’s learned to just focus on the position that he’s playing at in the moment. When he’s working with the WRs, he’s only worried about playing WR. Calls it switching the mode when he’s going from one position to another.
– Through all the ups and downs in his career, he says when the idea of him transferring comes up he thinks back to what his parents told him when he was picking a school out of high school. That question being if you remove football from it, would you still be happy at the school you’re at? For Doty, he says the answer was and has remained “yes.”
QB LaNorris Sellers
– Don’t assume anything when it comes to the starting QB job. He has expectations for himself but he’s focused on getting better each day. Learn from mistakes and keep moving forward.
– Feels a lot more comfortable this spring compared to last year. Says when you see SEC speed for the first time “your lost.”
– Isn’t a loud person but continues to grow with being a vocal leader; someone that can stand in front of the room and speak with the team.
– Since they’ve got back, they’re throwing two extra days a week with the WRs since there’s so many new faces
– Biggest lesson he took away from Spencer Rattler? Confidence. When you make a throw or see a read, have confidence in what you’re doing and seeing. Never be too high or too low. Says Rattler was really good at staying at the same level.
TE Josh Simon
– Jokes that he was the old guy in the TE room last year but with Trey Knox gone he feels like he’s really old now
– Says coach Elliott is old school. He’s intense and wants you to play smart and physical.
– Offense is still coming together but with time, things will start clicking the way they need to. Adds that doesn’t mean things aren’t there but rather that there’s a lot of new faces in the QB room and they’re continuing to learn Dowell Loggains’ expectations.
OL Vershon Lee
– Lee is hopping around at multiple positions on the offensive line as they cross train him. Could play tackle, guard, or center
– With the injuries they went through last year, it allowed a lot of younger players to gain experience. He’s excited about what the OL unit could achieve this fall and says they’re looking good so far.
– The young guys have been good because they listen to things the vets can teach them. Adds, “All the new guys have been putting their name in good light.”
WR Gage Larvadain
– Despite the coaching changes at WR, said it’s about the 15 guys in that room that have to go out their and play. Says being able to have a guy like Mike Furrey here has been great knowing that he’s gone through everything that have and has reached the level that they want to play at (NFL).
– Takes pride in the everything that he does but what stands out about his game he says is that you can place him anywhere on the field (slot, perimeter, backfield).
– While the WR room isn’t the tallest, said they have a lot speed. Said that will certainly be something the ream leans on this year.
