South Carolina offensive line 'took a step forward'
After ten South Carolina football practices, including one scrimmage, head coach Shane Beamer has been impressed with the progress of the Gamecocks‘ offensive line this spring.
It’s a unit that returns every single major contributor from a season ago but also a group that received a heavy dose of criticism for its overall performance last year.
That said, there’s no doubting that the group has talent and as Beamer has mentioned before, the o-line made noticeable strides in the final stretch of the 2021 season. Now it appears they’ve carried that over through this offseason.
“I thought the pass-protection was pretty good for the most part,” Beamer said referring to Carolina’s scrimmage on Saturday. “It wasn’t like our quarterbacks were running for their lives all day, particularly with that first group. That first offensive line, really pleased with their progress of what they’ve done so far as well.”
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In the portion of South Carolina’s football practices that the media has been able to watch, the Gamecocks have trotted out Jaylen Nichols, Vershon Lee, Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn and Tyshawn Wannamaker as their starting five (from left to right), though there’s some heavy competition for multiple spots and right tackle Dylan Wonnum has been limited as he returns from an injury.
Beamer has expressed confidence in the group throughout spring practice.
“I think (they) took a step forward,” Beamer said. “They’ve done a nice job from a pass-protection standpoint. I thought they did a good job. They’re playing physical. They’ve got experience back there. They look like an experienced group that returns everyone; they’re blocking a really good defensive line out there in practice every day.
“A lot of times you look at a running play and it went for two yards and you think the offensive line must stink. And it’s not always the case. The first play of the scrimmage the offensive line blocked great and we missed a block at the receiver position that allowed a guy to make a tackle for a one-yard gain. That’s what I’m talking about with everybody doing the right thing from a blocking standpoint, receivers, tight ends, running backs, offensive line, but I like the offensive line group and the way they’re working. Those guys that have returned have continued to take steps.”
As you would expect from a group that returns all of its starters from last season, Beamer has been especially happy with the leadership.
“Eric Douglas and Jovaughn Gwyn have been really, really steady and are doing a great job leading that group as Wonnum continues to get healthy,” Beamer said. “And then everybody else that returned, been pleased with what they’ve done so far as well, they’re getting better.
South Carolina returns to practice on Thursday morning before scrimmaging again on Saturday. The Garnet and Black spring game is set for Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m.
