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Turner talks ascending to No. 1 RB; Orth takes 1st team reps Monday

Gamecocks worked out for over two hours on Monday.

ALSO SEE: Mitchell- August 8 Practice Insider | Clark - More practice insight

As long as redshirt freshman A.J. Turner takes care of business over the next three weeks, he will most likely be named South Carolina’s No. 1 running back, and have the honor of getting the first carry of the season in the nationally televised season opener Sept. 1 at Vanderbilt.

David Williams’ apparent fall from grace opened the door for Turner to seize the top spot on the running back depth chart, and he took full advantage.

Yet the Clifton, Va. native realizes he has plenty of work left to do over the final 21 practices of preseason camp before cementing the starting job.

“As of right now, I’m getting the first-team reps and have been for almost a week now, but I‘m not banking on anything until the games officially start,” Turner said Monday following practice at Gamecocks Park. “That’s when I’ll see where I’m at.

Darius “Bear” Paulk and Rod Talley, and “a little bit of David Williams” are taking reps behind the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Turner at running back.

“The coaches say they like my effort and my speed,” said Turner, who redshirted in 2015 after missing most of his senior campaign at Centreville High School in Clifton, Va. because of a wrist injury. “I’m working on my assignments and knowing where I’m supposed to be and my different techniques. I have to improve on those things. I’m staying after practice to do some extra work.”

Like most young running backs yet to play in a major college game, Turner’s biggest need for improvement is pass protection and picking up blitzes.

“Pass protection is a big thing,” Turner said. “It’s really hard because it’s not a natural thing for anybody. Blocking guys that are way bigger than me and going against linebackers is challenging.”

Monday’s late afternoon practice marked just the latest workout where Turner lined up with the first-team offense. Will Muschamp was impressed by his speed and acceleration in spring practice, and Turner, one of the fastest players on the team, has sustained the momentum into preseason camp.

Meanwhile, Williams’ precipitous fall from a former four-star prospect to virtual afterthought is stunning. Suspicions aroused by Muschamp’s last interview with the media have proven spot on.

Asked about Williams, he proclaimed to the media Aug. 3 that the Gamecock coaches had grown weary of having to “challenge somebody every single day in practice and every meeting.” Translation: Williams’ attitude, motivation and energy is far from ideal.

“I asked him what he had accomplished since he’s been here,” Muschamp said. “I didn’t get a response.”

While Turner’s ascension to No 1 running back may have caught some by surprise, it is the byproduct of months of hard work.

“I just know I’ve been putting in the work,” Turner said. “I view every day as an opportunity to put distance between myself and the other running backs. I have to do whatever I can to get the starting job and get the practice reps. Just grinding.”

Currently weighing less than 200 pounds, Turner must demonstrate he is capable of being an every-down running back and gaining those tough yards on third down when opposing defenses stack eight or nine guys into the box to stop the run.

So, Turner is on a mission to add weight. His diet? About 5,500 calories per day.

“Getting in the weight room during camp is hard to do, so it’s just eating right and taking care of my body,” Turner said. “I’ve been trying to gain weight. I’ve been working my butt off in the weight room and out here in practice. I’ve been eating extra, drinking protein shakes and doing extra lifts. I’m doing everything I can to put the weight on.”

Turner ran out of a Wing-T offense in high school, rushing for 1,287 yards and 32 touchdowns in leading his high school to a state title in 2013. He believes the Gamecocks’ balanced spread scheme fits his talents seamlessly.

“This offense is very good for me because it lets me spread out and get into open space and make plays, which is my favorite thing to do,” Turner said. “That’s what I plan to do and that’s what I’m trying to do. The scheme is something new, but I like it a lot. College is the next step up.”

NOTES:

-- Perry Orth described Monday’s practice, which started at 2:45 p.m., as “maybe our best practice offensively” as the offense did not commit a turnover in the full team drill and “we’re starting to get a grip on what Coach (Kurt) Roper wants of us.”

-- Orth and Brandon McIlwain continue to rotate at quarterback. Monday was Orth’s turn to lead the No. 1 offense. Tomorrow, McIlwain will direct the No. 1 offense. First-team Snaps are being evenly divided, Orth said.

-- Orth said Saturday’s scrimmage is a “big day” for the quarterbacks and for “all the guys on offense and defense to prove themselves to the coaching staff.” The scrimmage, closed to the public and the media, kicks off Saturday morning at Williams-Brice Stadium.

-- Orth said he has dumped the ‘underdog” label considering he is the most experienced quarterback left on the roster after starting eight games in 2015. “Maybe last season I probably did (consider myself an underdog), but not now,” Orth said. “I’ve been there and done that. I’ve played games, I’ve played in tough environments and played in big-time ball games. I don’t feel like at underdog now. I’m just in a heated competition with a talented quarterback.”

-- The Gamecocks are scheduled to practice twice on Tuesday – 9:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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