Traits that could make Jammie Robinson a good nickelback

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL

Right now, it’s the usual suspects working with Kyle Krantz at the nickel position this spring.

He’s spending a lot of time working with RJ Roderick, Jamyest Williams and Jaycee Horn but knows there will be a few incoming signees that can help out at that position, most notably Jammie Robinson.

“He’s showed some ability to do it, he’s probably the one I think could come in and play there and help us, also at safety spot, too,” nickels coach Kyle Krantz said. “I think Cam (Smith’s) smart enough to do it as well. We’ll see how it all plays out and where we are come fall.”

Also see: Full recap from Krantz's media availability Tuesday

Robinson was one of the final signees in the Gamecocks’ 2019 class and the Gamecocks will have to wait until the summer to see what Robinson can officially bring to the table.

He’s the latest in a long line of underclassmen that have or will eventually take reps at that position with Jamyest Williams and Jaycee Horn starting at nickel as freshmen and RJ Roderick practicing at that spot this spring.

Krantz said Robinson has similar types of games to all of those players.

“He’s athletic, he’s tough, he’s physical and he’s a ball player,” Krantz said. “Like RJ and Jaycee he’s not afraid to get in there, learn and do the things he needs to do to cover and tackle.”

Also see: What are the Gamecocks getting in Jalyn McCreary?

The nickel spot is one of the harder spots in the secondary to learn with the coaches asking whoever plays there to not only cover slot receivers but step up in the box and either cover the run game or blitz.

Krantz said the competition there has been good through spring practice and will only get better with the rest of the signing class coming in this summer.

“We put a lot on them in terms of coverage man-to-man,” he said. “Then they also need to be able to tackle and get in there and be physical. All three guys have shown the ability to do it and we’re excited about the competition in there going into the fall.”

Also see: Insider notes on McCreary's recruitment

Robinson will join Horn, Roderick and Williams as guys that will compete for that spot in the fall before the season starts. They’ll all take reps at different spots as well Robinson, Roderick and Williams taking reps at safety and Horn working at one of the outside corner spots.

It’s still a long way to go before the season opener at the beginning of September but if Robinson comes in and steals the nickel competition, the coaching staff won’t hesitate to put him on the field or start him.

“Our motto around here is if you’re good enough you’ll play and if you’re the best you’ll start,” Krantz said. “It doesn’t matter who recruited you or where you came from, if you’re good enough to help our team win football games you’re going to be on the field.”