2 South Carolina football players opt out of season; 1 opts back in
The South Carolina football team got good news this week for its offensive line depth on the COVID-19 front, but took a hit at wide receiver.
Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp announced Thursday evening that lineman Jordan Rhodes, who had opted out of the season opted back in. But wide receivers OrTre Smith and Randrecous Davis both opted out of the season.
Rhodes was a starter for most of last season. Smith and Davis have both been injured for chunks of their careers but were at a position that needed help.
Smith was one of the most decorated recruits to come to the Gamecocks and even started as a true freshman. But a genetic issue cost him the 2018 season and he was slowed throughout 2019. He’s caught 42 passes for 420 yards and four scores.
“OrTre was like, ‘Coach I can’t tell you how safe I feel in the building, but there’s concerns.’” Muschamp said. “And I I totally understand that.”
Davis has caught 12 passes for 123 yards across four years, but he’s never been able to stay healthy, playing only 19 games in four seasons.
Players can opt out during the coronavirus pandemic and it won’t hurt their scholarship status or eligibility.
Rhodes is a big, physical guard who stepped into the lineup after a disastrous opening game for the offensive line last season. His presence might have allowed Jovaughn Gwyn to slide inside to center, but he opted out ahead of camp.
“He called me and said, ‘I miss you guys. I’m ready to get back at it,’” Muschamp said. “He came and did all of the COVID testing on Monday. Obviously, it’s probably going to take a couple of weeks to get him back in the type of shape he needs to be in, especially a big man in this type of heat, so we’re going to be very careful with that, but we’re going to be working him back in.”
If nothing else, Rhodes provides a key bit of depth if coronavirus hammers the roster.
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 7:18 PM with the headline "2 South Carolina football players opt out of season; 1 opts back in."
