Starting tackle competition could go on all week

One of the last remaining position battles on offense will linger into the week and might not be decided on until game day.

Will Muschamp said in his weekly press conference the Gamecocks are still working through who their starting right tackle will be and are using the remaining two practices and two more walk-thrus to make that decision.

“I would say probably game day,” he said on when a decision will come. “We still have a lot of opportunities. Our walk–thrus Friday and Saturday for a night game are critical to make sure our guys are dialed in and focused. We evaluate everything up to that point.”

The Gamecocks released their depth chart early Tuesday with Dylan Wonnum listed as the starting left tackle and a three-man competition going on for the right tackle spot with the infamous bold OR between their names.

Right now the competition is down to sophomore Jaylen Nichols, true freshman Vershon Lee and redshirt freshman Jakai Moore.

Nichols started four games last season, all at right tackle, and played in a few big games including the win over Georgia.

Moore played in three games last year with two starts, including starting the Clemson game last season at right tackle.

“I would think assignments are huge right now. Now that we finished our second practice working on Tennessee we’ve narrowed down what we’re doing game plan wise,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said last week. “We’re going to start repping those plays over and over again and we’re looking for the guys who are looking for guys who do their assignments and not have missed assignments.”

The interesting one is Lee, who is a true freshman in his first training camp that came out and impressed the coaching staff with his ability so far.

“Then the freshman (Vershon) Lee has done a nice job,” Bobo said. “He’s probably not physically where he needs to be as a SEC lineman as far as strength but as far as knowledge, footwork and doing what he’s coached to do I’m impressed with him.”

The Gamecocks have two more padded practices this week before a walk-through Friday and game plan preparation Saturday morning before taking on Tennessee Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

A few other position battles offensively were settled with Dakereon Joyner earning the slot receiver spot, Keveon Mullins the No. 2 tight end role and both Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell backups at receiver.

Vincent Murphy also won the backup center spot.