OL King making impression

COLUMBIA — Just after Steve Spurrier assembled his staff here, right around Christmas 2004, John Hunt went to work.

The new South Carolina offensive line coach was scouring the country, looking for prospects. One stuck out, and he wasn't all that far from USC's campus. It was North Charleston's Jarriel King.

"He was one that I loved," Hunt said.

To read that isn't the same thing as hearing it. When Hunt said "loved," it sounded more like "lovvvvved."

But Hunt never thought he'd have a chance to coach King. For one, King was enough of a playmaker at defensive end that he assumed, if he did come to USC, he'd play on the other line.

Then, there was the whole issue of King getting himself academically eligible. Well, three years later, things finally worked out for both Hunt and King. "I'm pleased to get him," Hunt said. "I didn't think I would."

Since his arrival on campus Friday, King has been working at left tackle — some with the first-team linemen. He saw a few snaps Tuesday at left guard, as well.

Hunt said the plan to play King on the O-line hatched in the spring.

For one thing, the depth at defensive end had become apparent in the time it took King to get to Columbia. Also, the staff knew that Jamon Meredith, the senior starter at left tackle, would miss the season's first two games satisfying an NCAA eligibility requirement.

"Ever since he's been here, he hasn't given me one indication that he's disappointed," Hunt said of King's response to the move to offense. "He's got a great attitude and wants to learn. He wants to be involved. He's waited a long time to be here. I'm sure it'll pay off in the meeting room and the field. We'll see how it goes."

Sophomore or junior?

Because of all the academic hangups, King isn't really sure whether he's a sophomore or a junior.

When coach Steve Spurrier was asked, his face sort of lit up as he considered the fact that King didn't enroll at Georgia Military until 2006 because he was trying to get himself eligible by other means in 2005.

"He may have three left," Spurrier said, eyes wide and smiling.

King continued to be a name on Spurrier's mind Tuesday evening. "He's doing some good things. He's excited to be here. He'll have a chance to step in there."

Missing Whitlock

Freshman C.C. Whitlock wasn't at practice Tuesday because of an academic issue, Spurrier said, and not due to any lingering circumstances concerning the personal matters that have hovered over him this spring and summer.

Whitlock is expected back today, when he'll participate in a scrimmage for underclassmen and reserves.

The scrimmage is expected to start at about 8 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium, Spurrier said, and it's open to the public. He hinted, too, that it might be the final open practice for some time.

All's well

Spurrier said the team practiced well Tuesday, a day after he cut practice short because of a bruising hit by linebacker Eric Norwood on receiver Moe Brown.

"Well, we practiced like a team," Spurrier said. "We got a lot out of it. We did a little bumping around and so forth. It was a pretty good practice."

There was a chance that the Gamecocks could've been in full pads Tuesday. But Spurrier said the workout basically became a redo of Monday night.

"We were trying to do last night's practice," Spurrier said. "We didn't get to do last night. So, we did last night and we'll catch up on the pads here."

Extra points

Corner Captain Munnerlyn stepped on someone's foot in a drill and had to limp off the field, but Spurrier thought he was OK. ... A day after telling coaches he planned to transfer to a junior college in California, quarterback Zac Brindise was back at practice after what he called "a change of heart." Spurrier said Brindise "realized he'd made a mistake and wanted to be a Gamecock." ... Spurrier didn't have an update for tight end Jared Cook's sprained foot, which still has him in a boot and on crutches.

-- Travis Haney