Shane Beamer praises Gamecocks defensive line following the first fall scrimmage
Shane Beamer knows success at South Carolina and in the SEC starts up front on the line of scrimmage.
The Gamecocks return the bulk of last year’s starting offensive line. But questions still remain on who will start opposite Zacch Pickens at defensive tackle.
But the interior defensive line has impressed Beamer early.
“Yeah they’re really, really good,” Beamer said, cracking a smile.
Depth is a luxury in college football, and especially so on a South Carolina defense still searching for it.
The heat down south can grate on anyone, especially bigger guys. Having multiple pieces up front is beneficial to any team, and Beamer thinks the Gamecocks have it up front.
“We’re deep at that defensive tackle position,” he said. “We’re very mature and that’s a group that they love the work and had a great spirit about themselves and like the way they’re competing right now.”
South Carolina has options other than Pickens inside, quickly rattling off a few like Tonka Hemingway, Alex “Boogie” Huntley, MJ Webb and TJ Sanders.
None have started before for long periods, but all are in at least year two of the program and Beamer praised all three, going out of his way to talk about Sanders.
“TJ Sanders is another young guy that has really, really improved,” Beamer said. “That’s going to be a problem for offenses this year.”
Pickens is expected to start inside and there is a competition for the other tackle. The edge spots are essentially locked up.
South Carolina expects Jordan Strachan and Jordan Burch to play at the end. An injury, though, has limited Burch in practice early.
It’s an undisclosed injury but one that kept him out of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Beamer said that they are limiting his reps early. He mentioned Burch would likely be playing if there was a game this week. He also said that is not a long-term concern.
Competition for the interior lineman spot is at an all-time high with guys hungry to earn snaps this season.
The entire team’s competitiveness and willingness to work have impressed Beamer, even as the grind of camp sets in this week.
“We’re out there for two and half hours in the heat in the afternoon and I’ll pull it up and they’re mad that we stopped the practice,” Beamer said. “They want to keep going and I love that about them.”
South Carolina wrapped up week one of preseason camp Saturday with the scrimmage.
The Gamecocks will have an off day Sunday before a week’s worth of practice culminating in another scrimmage next Saturday.
