Video: Mitch Jeter applying lessons learned from Parker White
It’s not easy following in the footsteps of a legend. As South Carolina looks to fill void of placekicker Parker White, Mitch Jeter recalls lessons he learned from USC’s all-time scoring leader as he competes for the vacant kicking job.
[Join us Aug. 20 at Steel Hands Brewing for the 2022 Gamecock Central Kickoff Party]
“Don’t let anything in the past or the future affect you,” said Jeter, of a lesson he learned from being around White. “Just try to stay in the moment. He always talked about never letting his future kicks or his past ones affect his next one. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve taken from him. Just worry about the next kick and what’s in front of you.”
Jeter has handled the majority of kickoff duties the past two seasons. However, he’s never attempted a field goal in a game. Junior Alex Herrera, who will compete for the starting place kicking job against Jeter, appeared in four games last season. Like Jeter, he’s never attempted a field goal at USC.
“We’ll give those guys plenty of opportunities and put them in a lot of different situations to see who separates themselves,” said Beamer, before the start of preseason camp. “If there’s an area of concern it’s just the lack of game experience. It will be the guy that’s the most consistent that we just have a great feel for as far as being able to go out and produce when called upon.”
Jeter said that while White is no longer part of the program, he was around Columbia a lot this summer. The two were able to connect a good bit.
“It’s been fun knowing that opportunity is there to fill his shoes. But (at the same time) still be able to joke around with him and see him around Columbia just as the good friend that he is.”
