What South Carolina assistant coaches Mike Furrey, Torrian Gray said on Thursday
On Thursday, a trio of South Carolina were scheduled to meet with the media. Those coaches included wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, and running backs coach Marquel Blackwell.
Furrey and Gray both met with the media shortly after 12:15 p.m. while Blackwell declined to address the media. Below are what both coaches had to say, as well as links to their full press conferences, following spring practice No.5 this morning.
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WR coach Mike Furrey
– Gage Larvadain is getting comfortable with what they’re asking him to do. Has been very pleased with his quick growth and understanding of what they’re looking from him to do in this offense.
– Mazeo Bennett and Debron Gatling are coming along. “I wouldn’t call them freshman anymore.” Says both have a high care factor, which has allowed them to grow quickly.
– Talks with Nyck Harbor about 4-5 times a week. Has full support of his decision to run track in the spring and he’ll continue to be one of his biggest supporters.
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– Has been in multiple offenses before but has really enjoyed getting to work with Dowell Loggains. Continues to pick his brain about why they do things so he can have a better understanding of what he’s looking for so that he can relay that to his wide outs to help them have a higher football IQ and understanding of the “why” instead of just “this is what we’re doing.”
– Asked about the DBs: said with a smile his job is to focus on the wide outs and not evaluate any other positions.
DB coach Torrian Gray
– It’s been a great spring thus far. It’s been competitive, especially at the CB position
– There’s a night and day difference with Jalon Kilgore this spring, even compared to this past fall. He’s improved as a safety but he’s also improved playing nickel, a position this defense could be relying on him a lot to play this year.
– Says Swain and Collier has grown with accountability and details because they have a better understanding of the sense of urgency that’s being asked from them. There’s been a growth in maturity.
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– With the freshmen DBs: slowly picking up where their eyes need to be, their stance, etc. Says there’s been a noticeable growth already from them, which he says isn’t always the case this early into spring practices
– Talks with Clayton White a good bit about DBs from eyes, stance, pre-snap alignment, etc. White has experience with coaching DBs so the two are constantly talking about the position with one another.
– A team who drafts former Gamecock CB Marcellas Dial is getting a professional. He’s always on time, he always shows effort, and he believes in himself. He’s gonna bring a “swagger” with him wherever he goes.
