Gamecocks’ freshmen are making their names and energizing the team
By JOSEPH PERSON
Reeling from a lopsided loss in the Outback Bowl, the early exits of three juniors to the NFL and the departures of several assistant coaches, South Carolina needed a pick-me-up in January.
The Gamecocks got three.
The addition of a trio of highly ranked prospects, who graduated high school early to enroll at USC, pumped much-needed energy into a program that ended 2008 on a down swing.
That momentum carried through the spring when defensive backs Stephon Gilmore, Devonte Holloman and tailback Jarvis Giles excelled on the practice field and in the classroom, each posting at least a 3.2 GPA in his first semester.
The arrival of the rest of their classmates has done little too quell the enthusiasm of Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier for a recruiting class he thinks could go down as the best of his USC tenure.
Spurrier could have opened his media day remarks Sunday by talking about quarterback Stephen Garcia, the offensive line or his revamped staff. Instead, he spent two minutes praising the freshmen.
“I just mention these guys because I don’t know that I’ve had this many freshmen that are right there — I mean, they’re right there with the team,” Spurrier said. “They don’t need to sit around for a year or two. They’re right there competing for playing time, and in all likelihood, will be on a whole bunch of special teams.”
Several could be starters. Gilmore is a first-team cornerback; Holloman, his South Pointe teammate, is pushing for playing time at strong safety.
Beyond the athleticism, coaches have marveled at how the freshmen have conducted themselves.
“It is a really good-looking class. And I think the other thing that has Coach feeling good — they haven’t brought a lot of baggage with them so far,” said Ellis Johnson, assistant head coach for defense. “It’s been a good group off the field. And as much as a freshman can influence older kids, they’ve been a good addition chemistry-wise.”
Prior to this year, USC did not have a strong track record when bringing freshmen in early under Spurrier. Garcia was suspended his first spring after a pair of arrests in his first weeks on campus, while quarterback Reid McCollum returned to Summerville the following year complaining of homesickness.
Talking about the academic showing of Giles, Gilmore and Holloman, Spurrier said: “We haven’t had that before. Three years ago, we had a quarterback that came in here that got kicked out his first semester. So it’s a little different attitude with these guys.”
Giles believes the three early enrollees helped set the tone for the rest of the freshmen, the majority of whom arrived in July for the second session of summer school.
“We came in, worked hard, busted our butts and coach Spurrier loved that,” Giles said. “These freshmen coming in, they want to play. They just want to touch that field. And everybody out there’s competing. They’re bringing the best out of the upper class.
“I think that’s why coach Spurrier likes us so much. We come out with (such) high energy. We work hard, do everything right, try not to bust plays. ... We bring out the best out of everybody.”
Gilmore, a Parade All-American and the state’s “Mr. Football,” came to USC expecting to play — an attitude he’s seen in several other freshmen the first week of practice.
Johnson praised cornerback D.J. Swearinger and spur Damario Jeffery for their early work, while Spurrier said receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeMario Bennett have a chance to play.
Bennett, a native of Douglas, Ga., who chose USC over Arkansas, said the first-year receivers have challenged each other to make the SEC’s All-Freshman team.
“We want to come in and make an impact as young receivers,” Bennett said. “Hopefully, we’ll get on the field early and make big plays.”
Based on what he’s seen so far, Spurrier has no reason to doubt it.
“These guys have been very coachable and are trying to do it the right way,” he said. “So if they have the ability and talent, and can play their assignments, certainly they play as freshmen anywhere. And these guys have a chance to do that.”
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