Aug. 15, 2016
The South Carolina Gamecock football team practiced Monday night in front of about 500 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium. The squad worked out in full pads in the first of three-consecutive practices that are open to the public.
Following Monday’s practice, tight ends coach Pat Washington said that he hopes to have five guys ready for a game. “I don’t have the five in order right now, we’re still working on it,” said Washington. “I would say by this Saturday, I’ll have a great idea of exactly where I am.”
The Gamecocks have rotated the tight ends with a trio of quarterbacks so far this camp, which can affect the chemistry. “It’s tough sometimes,” admitted Washington, “but we’ve got to find the right guys, so we’ve got to do that right now. Once we figure out who those two guys or one guy is going to be, then we’ll get that guy more reps, but right now this is what we’ve got to do.”
Washington shared his thoughts his top tight ends:
Jacob August: “Right now, I think he’s done a great job. KC (Crosby) was out the first couple of weeks and Jacob did a (nice) job of stepping in. He’s probably about 250 (pounds) right now. I think 250 is a good weight for him. As long as he’s strong enough and can handle the point of attack. Because you’ve got to be able to run around as a tight end in this system.”
K.C. Crosby: “He’s a guy who’s powerful enough to play on the line and he’s swift enough to play outside. I’m excited where he is. Conditioning-wise, he has continue to work at it to get a little bit better, but I think he’ll be ok.”
Hayden Hurst: “He’s got receiver skills. He can play outside and play receiver, but more importantly, he’s gotten better as a blocker. He’s more physical at the point of attack, which is really, really good and something we need. Plus he can get out and play like a receiver. We’re excited because he can run and he’s strong.”
The Gamecocks will return to the new practice fields, located next to the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility at the west end of Gamecock Park, on Tuesday at 6:30 pm for another open practice. For Tuesday’s session, fans can enter the parking area off National Guard Road beginning at 5 pm and park in the asphalt and premium south areas as directed. Fans will enter the practice fields through the gate at the northwest corner (the side opposite the indoor facility) and will be asked to stay behind the yellow rope at the north end of the fields. Please note that there is limited space available to watch Tuesday’s practice and no concessions will be available.
The team will return to Williams-Brice Stadium for Wednesday’s practice. That practice will also be open to the public and begin at 6:30 pm.
Should inclement weather arise and the team is forced to move to the indoor facility on either Tuesday or Wednesday, the practice will be closed.
