March 19, 2015

Rain in the Columbia area forced the University of South Carolina football team indoors on Thursday afternoon. The squad practiced in helmets and shorts in its second workout of the spring.

Offensive line coach Shawn Elliott is playing short-handed this spring, as seniors Brandon Shell and Mike Matulis are both sidelined with injuries. Elliott will also have to replace the left side of the line, as both left tackle Corey Robinson and left guard A.J. Cann, are expected to be taken in the NFL Draft. “That gives us a chance to give D.J. Park a look at both tackle (positions). It gives a lot of those young guys much needed work, which is what we try to do in the spring anyway,” said Elliott.

One of the keys this spring will be the continued development of Mason Zandi, who is penciled in at the left tackle position. “I think it’s a huge spring for Mason,” noted Elliott. “In the offseason, he’s up to about 318, 320 right now. He can run like a deer. He’s athletic. He’s got a big, big spring ahead of him, a big summer ahead of him, a huge, huge role he’s going to play for our football team next fall as well, so we’re trying to push him and get him ready to go. I expect big things out of him. He’s worked hard to put himself in a position to be successful.”

Coach Elliott said that Cody Waldrop is back on the practice field after missing much of the 2014 season with injury. “He’s been playing both center and guard for us. It’s another big spring for him.”

It remains to be seen if Donell Stanley can compete for the starting center position with Alan Knott. “Donell’s got to get back into football sense and shape. He’s been out a year. Alan’s got a look in his eye that I like. It’s his job to lose at this point.”

Although every spot on the line is up for grabs, Will Sport has put himself in a solid spot to man the right guard position. “I think Will, the way he’s worked and the way he’s progressed, he’s trying to solidify himself right there,” said Elliott. “Somebody will have to take it from him. As he went along throughout (last) year, he really progressed. He played really solid for us.”

The Gamecocks will look to return to the new outdoor practice fields on Friday. That practice is closed.