Call In Show: Muschamp confirms redshirting Nunez could happen
Since making the switch from quarterback to wide receiver in preseason camp, Lorenzo Nunez has yet to step onto the field as he learns the intricacies of his new position.
As it turns out, Nunez might not play at all in 2016.
When USC head coach Will Muschamp met with Nunez earlier this week to discuss his progress at wide receiver, the possibility of Nunez redshirting this season was discussed and the sophomore seemed amendable to the idea, Muschamp said Thursday night during his weekly call-in show.
“In a perfect world, that's what I'd love to do,” Muschamp said Thursday night on his weekly call-in show. “His body is changing, he's in the weight room lifting weights more than he's ever lifted before. There are so many positive things happening in his life right now as far as helping him and helping our program. He agreed with me and that's what he wants to have happen.”
Nunez missed most of spring practice with an injury, putting him behind Perry Orth and Brandon McIlwain when preseason camp started. Then true freshman Jake Bentley, who arrived on campus in June, emerged as a legitimate candidate for the starting job.
As a result, Nunez was shifted to full-time wide receiver about halfway through camp and that’s where he has remained ever since. However, playing wide receiver at the SEC level requires more than running down the field and catching passes. You have to know how to separate from defensive backs, run crisp routes and recognize coverages in order to find the open seams.
Right now, Nunez is learning how to do those things.
“He's a guy that has had a terrific fall as far as his buy-in, his work ethic," Muschamp said. "We’re living in an instant coffee society. We want everything now. He's a guy that has to work through that position change. He's learning a brand new position he's never played before. He is working extremely hard. There is a possibility of a redshirt. But if we get some more injuries at wideout, he is probably going to have to play for us and he will do a good job. It’s about learning the position and being the best player you can be.”
Of course, whether Nunez plays this season will largely depend on the health of the receivers currently on the depth chart. If they stay healthy and are able to play, Nunez will probably redshirt. In the meantime, Nunez has practiced every day to improve his skill set as a receiver and assisted the scout team as a quarterback.
“You mature in time. He wants to continue to develop his skill set," Muschamp said. "His attitude has been awesome. He's so unselfish. He's come to scout team and helped us with quarterback runs and different things. There aren't many guys that would do stuff like that in this day and age. I've been really proud of him and how he's approached everything."
NOTES:
-- Muschamp said the Gamecocks have three cornerbacks that play in the games because of a shortage of depth – Chris Lammons, Jamarcus King and Rashad Fenton. USC coaches roll those three CBs in and out of the game to keep them fresh.
-- LB Sherrod Pittman, suspended for the first two games, should return to action Saturday at Kentucky, Muschamp said. Pittman’s presence should boost the depth at linebacker. Freshman TJ Brunson saw his first meaningful action vs. ECU. Overall, Muschamp is concerned about depth at linebacker.
-- From a defensive perspective, 10 or less missed tackles in a single game is a positive result, Muschamp said. "You just have to leverage the ball and have the next hat on the ball to get the ball (and ball carrier) on the ground to not allow the explosive play because of a missed tackle."
-- Coming off the win over East Carolina in the home opener, Muschamp said the Gamecocks showed good energy in practice this week. USC will fly to Lexington today.
-- Muschamp said the defensive coaching staff did a great job evaluating freshman DE D.J. Wonnum during the recruiting process. Wonnum flew under the radar and committed to Iowa State (June 2015) and Indiana (Jan. 2016) before being offered by the Gamecocks. Wonnum has 8 tackles, 2 TFL and 1 sack in his first three games. "We saw him work out, we liked him and in a short period of time convinced him to come to South Carolina," Muschamp said. "This guy has a big-time upside."
-- INJURY UPDATE: Muschamp expects to get offensive lineman Donell Stanley and Blake Camper back for the Oct. 22 home contest against UMass, the first game after the bye. Both players have high ankle sprains. DB Chaz Elder will begin running next week to test his bruised ribs. RB Rico Dowdle will start practicing on Sunday. He will travel with the team to Lexington to get him used to traveling. He will not play in the game. Muschamp expects him to contribute at running back and special teams later this season. Larenz Bryant is making progress in his rehab from a hamstring injury. TE Kyle Markway has experienced some soreness in his foot, but has battled through it. Muschamp wants him to return and help out on special teams.
-- Muschamp said even though the Kentucky defense has struggled so far this season (500 or yards allowed in first three games), the Wildcats have plenty of talent on offense led by Boom Williams and Jojo Kemp at running back.
-- Muschamp said the Gamecock offensive line made strides in the last game as USC averaged close to 5.0 yards per carry, allowed zero sacks and two QB hurries.
-- Muschamp said Jake Bentley continues to take practice reps with the first and second team offense. He has not been placed on scout team.
-- Former Gamecock coach Steve Spurrier made an appearance on the call-in show as he travels from Florids to his childhood hometown of Johnson City, Tenn. Spurrier will attend a book signing there today before heading to Knoxville for Saturday's Florida-Tennessee game.
