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Charleston acclimating to safety; Allen-Williams No. 1 at Will LB

Will Muschamp at Tuesday night's open practice

Tuesday's Open Practice Photo Gallery

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Unhappy with both the personnel and depth at the safety spots for South Carolina, Will Muschamp asked redshirt freshman receiver Javon Charleston to do something he hadn’t done since middle school – play defensive back.

Charleston quickly agreed to the move, which was announced by Muschamp during his teleconference with reporters Sunday afternoon following the first full contact scrimmage the previous day.

“Coach Muschamp likes my athleticism,” Charleston said Tuesday night following a 2-1/2 hour open practice on the Gamecock Park Practice Fields. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge, so I’m ready to go out there and give it a try. They told me I have an opportunity to play safety as long as I’m improving and show them I know what I’m doing.

“We only have about four safeties total right now, so I should definitely be able to go out there and make something happen. They have thrown me out there quickly so I can reps on the field instead of just taking notes. I’m getting a lot of reps.”

Muschamp hinted Sunday that moving Charleston to safety might not be his final move in the quest to upgrade the talent in the secondary before the Gamecocks take the field on Sept. 1 at Vanderbilt (8 p.m., ESPN)

“He told me he is looking for athletic guys in the secondary,” Charleston said. “I think they’re probably going to pick up somebody else. Right now, I’m focused on trying to be the best safety I can. I don’t know who else they’re looking at. I’m trying to make sure I’m ready for Week 1 and I’m good with my technique.”

Possessing the size (6-0, 195 pounds), speed and athleticism Muschamp craves for the safety spot, Charleston has fit snugly into his new position.

“I was surprised (by the move) because I was working to become one of the best receivers this fall, but now it’s my job to become of the best safeties,” Charleston said. “Regardless of the move, I have to work my hardest to get to where I need to be by Week 1. I’m definitely physical. I don’t back down from hitting. Right now, it’s just knowing what to do.”

Charleston has just two weeks to learn how to play safety in Muschamp’s scheme. Tall order, but Charleston’s goal is to step onto the field for meaningful action against Vanderbilt on Sept. 1 in Nashville.

“As long as I keep working and studying film and staying on top of things and really dedicate myself to it, I think I will definitely be on the field,” Charleston said. “They’re throwing a lot on him, but they are simplifying it by giving me the zone and what to exactly look at. Now they’re trying to pick it up by giving me different schemes and coverages. It’s definitely a lot to learn, but that’s why I need to work extra hard.”

Charleston, who caught four passes for 54 yards in the spring game, believes his wide receiver experience will accelerate his transition to safety.

“It definitely helps me because I know what the wide receiver is trying to do in terms of widening the defender, breaking off the stem and trying to step on the defender’s toes,” Charleston said. “I’m ready for all that. I just have to get physical with them and make sure they don’t create separation, which is what they’re trying to do.”

Charleston’s biggest challenge switching from wide receiver to safety? Backpedaling and learning to run backwards.

“The footwork is probably the hardest thing for me,” Charleston said. “I’m used to running forward and trying to create separation. Now I’m trying to backpedal and get balance and leverage. It’s definitely different going backwards than forward.”

NOTES:

-- Junior Bryson Allen-Williams said he is working with the first-team defense at WILL linebacker. “I’m comfortable there right now,” Allen-Williams said. “I’m having a good time. We have great energy and great tempo at practice.” BAW said the coaches want him to step into a leader’s role even though the defense has several seniors in starting roles.

-- BAW said he is working closely with both linebacker coaches (Coleman Hutzler, Mike Peterson) and D-Line coach Lance Thompson to develop his pass rushing skills. “In my earlier years, I just tried to go off what I learned in high school,” BAW said. “But Coach Peterson and Coach Thompson are really helping me develop my game as far as the pass rush.”

-- Peterson, described by BAW as “probably one of the most laid back coaches we have, played in the NFL for 14 seasons (1999-2012) with three different teams – Indianapolis Colts (1999-2002), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-08) and Atlanta Falcons (2009-12).

-- Each of the top three quarterbacks led the offense for one drive during the full team period. Brandon McIlwain led the first series, which stalled on downs. Perry Orth’s first series produced a three-and-out, but he remained at quarterback and led the offense down the field. The drive culminated with Orth’s TD pass to TE K.C. Crosby. True freshman Jake Bentley took the controls and directed a TD drive of his own. Walk-on WR Shemar Glenn made an impressive diving catch along the sidelines before Bentley hit Matrick Belton on the scoring pass to cap practice.

-- The Gamecocks return to Williams-Brice Stadium for Wednesday’s open 6:30 p.m. practice. Fans can park for free in Quad 1 of Gamecock Park (turn at the light by the old Bojangles’ site) and sit in sections 1-9 on the lower west side of the stadium. The parking lot will open at 4:30 pm and Gate 20 at the stadium will open at 6 pm. Bags will be checked at the gate and one concession stand will be open on the west main concourse. Should inclement weather arise and the team is forced to move to the indoor facility, the practice will be closed.

Freshmnan RB Rico Dowdle is sidelined with an injury
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