Muschamp proud of Kinlaw's journey

South Carolina's defensive front officially landed some potential immediate help when three-star junior college defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw arrived on campus this past week.

The former Goose Creek (S.C.) High standout completed an accelerated program in order to arrive in Columbia for the Maymester session after just one season at junior college, the culmination of hours of hard work in the class room.

"Things happen for different reasons in life and Javon's situation was one where I knew we could enroll him at Jones Junior College," head coach Will Muschamp said Tuesday at the Lancaster stop of the Spurs Up Tour. "Academically, he needed to be in that environment and graduated last week with over a 3.0 GPA."

Kinlaw, a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder who should compete for playing time almost immediately at the defensive tackle position, has admitted JUCO life was hard at times, but he's learned from the experience.

"He matured tremendously during that time and I can't tell you how proud I am of him," Muschamp said. "I walked in the door [at Goose Creek], he had never met me in his life -- I had talked to him on the phone four or five times -- and I talked to him about going to Ellisville, Mississippi. And he went there and we had some long phone conversations at times, but really proud of him and where he is now. Excited to get him on campus and excited he's a Gamecock."

Kinlaw will have four years to play three at South Carolina.

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