Gamecock football defensive players address spring practice, changes within program

COLUMBIA, SC --- Six defensive players from the South Carolina football team spoke to the media on Tuesday via Zoom to discuss both how the first spring practice under new head coach Shane Beamer is going, as well as the change of energy in the building.

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Cam Smith took to the podium first to address the media. Smith mainly focused on how his perspective and mindset has changed during the offseason.

“I’ve learned it’s really about your brothers,” Smith said. “It’s not about you or football.”

After suffering a leg injury last season, the defensive back said he’s healthy and “ready to go” for the upcoming season.

Alex Huntley, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman, shared similar sentiments of coming back from an injury, saying he feels great and back at “105%.”

“I see it as a blessing and a curse,” Huntley said looking back on his ankle injury last season. “It’s given me a chip and it’s making me work harder.”

Huntley also raved about Beamer, who he first met while on a recruiting trip to Oklahoma.

“I’ve loved Coach Beamer since I’ve met him. I think he’s a great coach, a great person.” Huntley said. “He’s a genuine guy. He knows when to work and when to have fun.”

The topic everyone wanted to know, however, was the change in energy and the style of defensive play.

Redshirt senior linebacker Sherrod Greene says that the biggest difference is that there is “more freedom.”

Kingsley Enagbare, a senior defensive end, echoed that sentiment, “I love this new defense, it’s very aggressive, it’s the mentality.”

The last player to speak was Brad Johnson, a redshirt senior linebacker, and he detailed just how the defensive changes have allowed for the newfound freedom on the field for the Gamecocks.

“In this defense, I’m a real deal linebacker and I can be anywhere on the field at any time.” Johnson said. “I can be around the ball and have some more free roam to make some stuff happen.”

The Gamecocks will continue spring practice over the next three weeks, before stepping into Williams-Brice Stadium for the annual Garnet and Black Spring Game on April 24, 2021 at 2 p.m.