Spurrier Jr. pleased with unit's progress
South Carolina’s wide receivers have received plenty of attention during the offseason, and with All-American Alshon Jeffery currently staring up at readers from the cover of Sports Illustrated, that attention isn’t likely to disappear any time soon.
As the Gamecocks’ season opener with East Carolina grows ever closer, however, wide receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. is content on downplaying the hype, despite being impressed with their performances in two weeks of preseason practice.
“We have a good group — they all know that — but they also realize they have to battle each other,” Spurrier Jr. said. “We haven’t done anything. We haven’t proven much as a wide receiver corps. I’ve got a mature group. They’re tough, they want to stay out and get better, they want to battle with each other and they also want to help each other. I expect them to perform well this year.”
Among those who have performed well in the preseason is freshman Damiere Byrd. Although the New Jersey native has quickly become known for his speed, Spurrier Jr. said he’s also been happy with Byrd’s ability to play at a high level so quickly.
“His progress hasn’t really been great. He showed up pretty good,” Spurrier Jr. said, jokingly. “He’s physical, he’s tough, he’s intelligent, he’s got a very good look in his eye. He’s been impressive. For a guy who’s skinny and fast, he does a lot of really good things at wide receiver. He’ll find his way on the field.”
Spurrier Jr. also offered praise for newcomer Bruce Ellington. Although he noted that the redshirt freshman is still learning the playbook, he said Ellington’s potential for 2011 is high.
“You can tell he’s a little unrefined at the little things,” Spurrier Jr. said. “I tell him he looks a little bit like [Ace Sanders] did last year, who is twice the player this year just because he knows what he’s doing. With Bruce, you can tell a little bit that he’s not at full speed right now because he’s not 100-percent sure of exactly what’s going on, but he’s a talented young man, and he’s got a great personality to play the game. He’s going to be fine. I’m impressed with him.”
Spurrier Jr. added that Ellington’s quick progress with the offense is a credit to the Moncks Corner native’s intelligence, along with a summer spent learning alongside fellow speedster Sanders.
“He’s just a sharp guy,” Spurrier Jr. said. “It’s funny, I read back to old magazines where they said, ‘This guy’s struggling with the playbook; it must be a hard playbook.’ This guy’s not struggling with the playbook because he’s intelligent, and I’ve got several of those guys. He and Ace have hung out a lot, and Ace has done a great job with him, getting him ready to go.”
Redshirt junior D.L. Moore has also shown improvement as he begins his third season with the Gamecocks. Despite dealing with an injured shoulder, Moore, who finished 2010 with 17 catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns, has continued to grow among Carolina’s receiving corps.
“He’s done well,” Spurrier Jr. said. “He’s a good player, a tough player, a guy that’s been here a few years; he’s more confident than he’s ever been. I’m looking forward to seeing him out on the field.”
With so many receivers continuing to impress at practice, Spurrier Jr. said the list of those who will play this season is still open to change.
“The best six guys will play. If it changes, it’ll change,” he said. “I’m probably going to practice eight or nine guys. Every week they’ll earn their way. Who the top three guys are, who the guys are that play the most, that’s going to make the difference.”
As for the task of narrowing down that list, Spurrier Jr. welcomes the challenge.
“It’s a good problem to have,” he said. “I’ve had years in the past where I had one good player and 10 that weren’t very good. I’ve got a good group. Those guys will be ready to play.”