It's 'so big' getting Kenion on campus

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL

It was a long probably two weeks for Trae Kenion, who was forced to wait around as the South Carolina signee had to Gamecocks started spring practice without him.

The tight end was supposed to be a mid-year enrollee and get to campus in January but had to wait to be admitted until after spring break. He’s on campus now, and his position coach couldn’t be more excited to get him in and begin working with him.

“It’s so big. A guy can come in in the spring and not have to worry about a game, not have to worry about the academic pressure of being here,” Bobby Bentley said. “Now he can come in and it’s a little more relaxed, practice is every other day and you have a gap in between them. in fall camp every day is another install and you have something in class and a game. It’s a lot better transition when he does it. I think it’s going to help Trae this time next year.”

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Kenion enrolled as the Gamecocks got back from spring break and will begin practicing with the team as they have about three weeks of practice before the spring game on April 6.

He’s one of two tight end signees on campus now with Keshawn Toney, who was one of the freshmen that did ultimately enroll in January.

Kenion comes in as a three-star prospect out of North Carolina where he finished with 68 career receptions and 1,429 yards while hauling in 23 touchdowns over his four-year career.

He hasn’t been able to practice much yet just getting to campus but Bentley likes what he’s seen watching Kenion’s high school tape.

“Keshawn Toney has done a really good job picking the system up. He’s going to be a really good player. I’m excited about his future,” he said. “Trae Kenion just got in and we have to get him out to practice now and get him caught up to speed. Going back and looking at his video from high school, he is really talented so I can’t wait to get him on the field and get him running on the grass.”

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It’s hard for a freshman to really jump off the page in the spring trying to learn the system and get their footing and learn the system.

Toney, despite things moving fast for freshmen, has been able to stand out a little bit as a first-year player with his versatility at the tight end position.

The Gamecocks use really two types of tight ends with an in-line, hand-in-the-ground tight end and more of an H-back role that can play detached from the line as well.

“He’s a wide receiver that can play tight end,” Bentley said. “If you look at his high school film he’s splitting guys down the middle and he can really run. He’s a big guy, 245 pounds, and can really motor.”

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The Gamecocks had nine players enroll early this year and are going through spring practice for the first time in their careers.

The rest of the team’s 2019 recruiting class will arrive on campus this summer for offseason workouts before training camp starts in August.