Two JUCOs on campus, other notes
As expected, two of South Carolina's junior college signees have enrolled for the school's Maymester session.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and linebacker Eldridge Thompson, both expected contributors for South Carolina this season, have already arrived in Columbia, head coach Will Muschamp said Monday morning.
Kinlaw, a former Goose Creek (S.C.) High standout, spent one season at Jones C.C. in Ellisville, Miss., and was considered one of the top JUCO defensive linemen in the country.
The 6-foot-5, 330-pounder, who comes in as a sophomore, will compete for a starting position right away at defensive tackle.
"He's going to be a guy that adds mass, girth to the interior defensive line," defensive line coach Lance Thompson said on signing day. "He's going to be a good player in the run game and be a guy in the pass game, hopefully, that can push the pocket."
Thompson, a Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout, will compete at linebacker where the Gamecocks had just three scholarship players this spring.
"He's a kid that came to camp, he jumped out of the gym, ran really well, and showed great ball skills," linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler said. "He shows on his tape at Coffeyville, playing with his hands, playing physical, playing at the point of attack, doing the things we expect linebackers to do, so I think the sky is the limit with him. Gotta get him healthy and get him going."
Muschamp said last Thursday that he wasn't sure yet when JUCO cornerback signee Keisean Nixon would arrive in Columbia.
Check out our National Signing Day Interview with Javon Kinlaw on 107.5 The Game below.
