Gamecocks missing junior college running back, two-position defender in practice
South Carolina football, already thin at the running back position, has been without one of its top tailbacks during preseason practices as of late.
Zaquandre White, a junior college transfer who joined the Gamecocks in late July, has been sidelined with an injury recently, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo told reporters Friday. Bobo did not specify what the injury was but said he hoped to get White back on the field sometime next week.
White’s absence leaves USC with just three scholarship running backs available — redshirt sophomore Deshaun Fenwick, sophomore Kevin Harris and freshman Rashad Amos. Star freshman MarShawn Lloyd, who many had pegged as the favorite to start right away, tore his ACL just a few days into camp.
White’s injury has limited his impact on the running back competition, Bobo said. Having missed the spring and most of the summer, White was still expected to contend for significant playing time thanks to his explosiveness and playmaking ability. With three weeks left until USC opens its season against Tennessee, he won’t have many opportunities once he returns from his injury to impress the coaching staff.
And Bobo stressed Friday that consistency will be key in determining who gets snaps at tailback.
“We need guys that are going to read the run correctly and then hit the run with power and under their pads,” Bobo said.
Bobo also said senior wide receiver Shi Smith, the Gamecocks’ top returning wideout, has been on and off the practice field with “an injury here and there,” limiting his ability to show consistency as well.
On the other side of the ball, Jahmar Brown has been battling injuries and is out at the moment, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson said.
Robinson didn’t say what Brown’s injury was or when he expects him back. But the sophomore had impressed Robinson earlier in workouts, taking reps at both linebacker and safety.
“When he was out there, he was doing a good job, he’s gonna be a good football player,” Robinson said.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Gamecocks missing junior college running back, two-position defender in practice."
