Gamecocks' spring practice starts early

COLUMBIA -- As of Sunday, South Carolina's spring football practice was set to begin March 16. By Monday, though, Steve Spurrier had had a change of heart.

With the school's spring break approaching, Spurrier had the Gamecocks on the practice field Thursday -- even though they won't return for nearly two weeks.

"We thought some of the young guys, we were just giving them one practice," Spurrier said, "something to think about over the spring break week. That's the reason we did that."

There were a few nuggets of news, with the biggest note being the absence of Freshman All-America receiver Alshon Jeffery. Spurrier said Jeffery, a rising sophomore, was serving a one-day academic suspension.

"He missed a class," Spurrier said, "and he had to miss a practice."

Additionally, there are a few spring position changes.

T.J. Johnson, in an effort to seize upon his leadership potential, has shifted from guard to center. That was new line coach Shawn Elliott's idea.

Senior captain Pat DiMarco will likely play a tight end-fullback combination, something like an H-back.

"He looked pretty good in there," Spurrier said. "We might play two tight ends more than two running backs. It'll give him a chance to get on the field more."

Chris Culliver and Akeem Auguste will swap spots, with Culliver going to cornerback and Auguste moving to safety. But that change is only partially complete because Culliver will miss the spring after having shoulder surgery.

Auguste, though, is already adjusting to his new spot.

"We'll be great in there and show our versatility," Auguste said.

Spurrier was also excited Thursday because the Gamecocks didn't use an offensive huddle all day -- perhaps a sign of offensive progression.

The word expectation is actually being connected to South Carolina, depending on who you're prescribing to and how they're evaluating the rest of the SEC.

Spurrier isn't having any of that talk. He's been busy apologizing for the Papajohns.com Bowl loss to Connecticut. He reasons that USC, 7-6 the past two seasons, can't seriously be figured for a contender after that sort of showing.

Time will tell if he's correct or underselling his team's stock.

The reason for external optimism is related to a few factors, not the least of which is South Carolina's 17 returning starters (eight on offense, seven on defense and punter/kicker Spencer Lanning).

Surprising as it might be to some, redshirt junior quarterback Stephen Garcia was second in the league in passing yardage a year ago (2,862 yards) and he was just over 3,000 total yards. He'll look to take another giant step forward.

Garcia will need help, and especially from an offensive line that has continuously struggled to find consistency. Enter Elliott, who joins the staff after a successful 10-year run at Appalachian State.

"Any time you're a new coach, coming into a situation like this, you've got to set the tone from day one," Elliott said. "It's going to carry over to day 15 of spring practice, little bit in the summer and then into the fall. They'll know what to expect from myself.

"If we can get those guys working in the right direction and they can meet me halfway, we're going to be OK."

The defensive line, even with the early departure of Clifton Geathers, might be one of the best in the SEC.

The Gamecocks will need to find a replacement for Eric Norwood at linebacker, but look for the continuing emergence of cornerback Stephon Gilmore and safety DeVonte Holloman, both sophomores, as playmakers.

Additionally, Spurrier and his staff signed another recruiting class that could have immediate impact players. One of them, highly touted running back Marcus Lattimore, will be here in June.

South Carolina has 13 more practices remaining in preparation for the April 10 spring game. All of the practices, again, picking back up March 16, are expected to be open to the public.

The team's two scrimmages are scheduled for Saturdays -- March 20 and March 27 -- at Williams-Brice Stadium. They'll begin in the late morning hours.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com, check out the Gamecocks blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks and follow him on Twitter (@gamecocksblog).

South Carolina Spring football dates

Tuesday, March 16 - 7 p.m.

Friday, March 19 - 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 20 - 10 a.m. (scrimmage)

Tuesday, March 23 - 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 25 - 7 p.m.

Friday, March 26 - 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 27 - 10 a.m. (scrimmage)

Tuesday, March 30 - 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 1 - 7 p.m.

Friday, April 2 - 4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 6 - 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 7 - 7 p.m.

Friday, April 9 - 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 10 - 4 p.m. (spring game)

Practices will take place at the Bluff Road fields, scrimmages at Williams-Brice Stadium. All practices, USC has said, are free and open to the public. All practices, dates and times, are subject to change.