Shane Beamer talks Josh Vann's presence through two games
Josh Vann opted to come back this year after his best season ever at South Carolina. But so far he’s struggled to be a big part offensively.
The Gamecocks’ returning leading receiver hasn’t played much compared to his role last year, and Shane Beamer gave a glimpse into why Sunday night.
“Got to practice. The guys that practice the best are the ones who are going to play on Saturday. It’s not like we had a plan to throw the ball to Juice Wells like we did. Juice Wells practices his ever-living rear end off. It shows on Saturdays,” Beamer said.
“I’m not saying Josh doesn’t. We had some things in the game plan for josh yesterday, specific packages for Josh. We had him on a deep ball down the sideline. He’s one on one with their corner and we weren’t able to connect.”
Through two games Vann is also tied with Jaheim Bell for seventh on the team in terms of targets with five.
See everything Shane Beamer had to say Sunday night
He’s brought in one reception for nine yards through two games. Other receivers, primarily Juice Wells and Jalen Brooks, have made the most of their opportunities.
Wells is coming off an eight-catch, 185-yard day in a loss to Arkansas. Brooks, who rejoined the team this summer after a hiatus, has six receptions on seven targets for 117 yards.
“Everybody on our team: last year is over. Whatever the crap happened in 2021 with our football team, you don’t just get the right at any position—offense, defense or special teams—to automatically assume that role,” Beamer said.
“We talk about competition in this program and we compete every single day in practice. The guys who earn it in practice get the opportunities to play on Saturdays.”
That’s not to say Vann won’t be playing, but Beamer obviously wants to see a little more out of the fifth-year player.
“Josh is a key part of this offense. Josh will continue to be a key part of this offense,” he said. “But yesterday Juice Wells was playing his butt off and getting open.”
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South Carolina showed some progress despite the 14-point loss. The Gamecocks put up over 400 yards of offense while 370 was through the air.
Most of that went to Wells, but Austin Stogner also had a quality day as the Gamecocks looked a little more explosive on the road against the Razorbacks.
Beamer mentioned Sunday who gets the lion’s share of the targets will depend on things week to week based on opponent, adjustments, scheme and who practices the best.
“I think it’s a combination of everything. You’re going to watch tape and have different ways you want to attack the team you’re getting ready to play personnel-wise and schematically what they do,” he said. “A lot of it is trying to build on what you did last week. Then finding out things you do well.”
