Gamecocks finally get look at lineman King

COLUMBIA — All right, enough already about the quarterback who was making his big, long-awaited arrival on South Carolina's campus. Let's talk about someone making — quite literally — a bigger, longer-awaited arrival for the Gamecocks.

After a three-year wait, North Charleston's Jarriel King is finally in garnet and black. And he was OK with that fact Friday evening after USC's first official practice of preseason camp.

Fine, more than OK with it.

"It feels good. It's been a long time coming," King said. "Everyone's been waiting and keeping the faith in me. And I've been keeping the faith in myself."

No, King didn't receive quite the headlines this week that Stephen Garcia did in his bid for reinstatement, which was accepted Thursday by USC's administration. And he was at Friday's practice, too, fully participating as the third-string QB.

But Garcia has zipped his lips until he plays in a game. He says he'd rather the attention go to others. Others such as King.

You couldn't help but enjoy the scene as King walked off the practice field for the first time, mobbed by fans welcoming him into the fold and commending him for sticking with his plan to make it to the university.

The 6-7, 294-pound garrulous giant just grinned widely, soaking in the moment that each step delivered.

"Glad isn't even the word to describe it," he said.

King, a defensive end by trade, learned in the spring that coach Steve Spurrier had plans to play him at offensive tackle. And Spurrier made good on that, putting King in the offensive red jersey Friday night.

King is working at left tackle, a spot with a possible opening, at least at the beginning of the season. Senior starter Jamon Meredith will miss two games to appease an eligibility requirement. Hutch Eckerson, who was ready to go in for him, is nursing a knee injury.

"We're going to give him every opportunity to see if he can help us there," Spurrier said.

By night's end, King was running with the first-team offense.

"I felt like we needed a big, strong guy in the offensive line that maybe could push somebody around and not get pushed around so much," Spurrier said. "I think he's got a chance to be a heck of an offensive left tackle."

King was held out of some drills because he hasn't yet had his physical. He said he'll have it by Monday and be a full go by Monday evening.

King said he was a bit hesitant to play on the O-line, but he's willing if that's where there's a need. Say this about him, too: He's a confident guy for his first time on the Division I field.

"I'm looking to come right in and make a great impact," said King, who made mention of the fact that those back in the Lowcountry, especially his young son and daughter, are counting on him. "It's just me going to be an X-factor, that's all. I'm not being big-headed. I've got a lot of pride. I'm into myself."

The journey to USC hasn't come without its hiccups. Last fall, he was kicked off the team at Georgia Military College after being accused of stealing a small amount of money from classmates' rooms.

He was allowed to finish his classwork and then returned to North Charleston to see if he'd done enough for entrance into South Carolina. He then learned he would need to complete one last math class, because a credit from GMC didn't transfer over to USC.

King needed a 'C' in the course he took online this month. He got a 'B.'

"I'm an overachiever," King said. "I can't settle no more. Settling is what made me wait three years."

King learned Thursday night that he'd been admitted and gathered his things to leave Friday morning. Quick turnaround, sure. But King's had enough waiting.

"I haven't even been in my room yet, man," King said. "My stuff's in my room, but I haven't been in my room."

Extra points

--For the first time, Spurrier didn't vote for Duke in the coaches' poll that was released Friday. He was asked not to by Grant Teaff, head of the football coaches association.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the USC blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.