The battle continues at QB, while we get a look at who will be starting where come September 1.
Will Muschamp held a conference call with the media this afternoon to provide some updates on the team after Saturday’s scrimmage. Here’s some bits and pieces of interest:
—From a personal standpoint, I thought that we’d see a quarterback decision made by now, especially with a pair of scrimmages and several weeks of camp in the books. But it looks like Muschamp isn’t in any hurry to see a starter named. So much so, in fact, that he’s waiting until after the Vanderbilt game to name a starter. And it’s likely that both Perry Orth and Brandon McIlwain will go on Day 1.
There is “a very strong possibility” South Carolina will play two quarterbacks in the season opener, Will Muschamp says.
— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) August 21, 2016
Muschamp also added that neither Orth or McIlwain has distanced themselves enough to lead him to make a decision one way or the other. Of course, that’s judging off of practices. The real assessment will be made when these two go at it in game action in about twelve days. Whether the news that there’s been no clear favorite is good news or bad news depends on what side of the coin you’re looking at.
—A.J. Turner will still go with with the first team at running back, but the team will employ a “running back by committee” approach to get both Turner and David Williams out there. That said, I’d expect things to lean one way or the other based on the two men’s performance throughout the season.
—Linebacker Larenz Bryant is confirmed out for Vandy, and perhaps longer. RB Rico Dowdle, who was already out due to a groin injury, will indeed miss the Vandy game, along with Mon Denson. I think it could be a redshirt year for Dowdle he doesn’t get healthy soon – he was expected to figure into the running game in some form or fashion this season.
—Backfield looks to be set for September 1.
Fenton, Lammons, King, McWilliams top four corners. Montac would be fifth. Fenton played mostly nickel in the scrimmage.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) August 21, 2016
Top safeties are Elder and D.J. Smith.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) August 21, 2016
McWilliams is back from his leave of absence. Missing from the list: Chris Smith, who was slotted behind Lammons but might (my guess) redshirt with Montac in the fold. At safety, Chris Moody should be in the mix as well to spell Elder and Smith if needed.
—Alan Knott isn’t all the way back yet, but Muschamp said that he is “getting back to 100 percent”. Cory Helms should start at center if Knott can’t go.