Who's in the mix at nickelback?
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL
If South Carolina defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson has his way, then sophomore defensive back Jaycee Horn will trade in his nickelback duties this season to play outside as a true cornerback.
Horn was the Gamecocks' primary nickelback for most of his freshman All-American campaign, rotating between there and corner and even playing a little safety. But Robinson would love to use Horn's coverage abilities to match up with opponents' best receivers.
"I would love to have Jaycee outside at corner if we can," Robinson said. "I think he can be really dominant outside. He gives us another bigger body. We’d be even bigger outside if that’s the case. But I don’t know that yet. We’ll just have to see where everybody falls.”
Translation: Robinson can always fall back on his sophomore sensation at the position - which is on the field when Carolina has five DBs in play - but right now, that responsibility is wide open. It will be up to someone else on the roster to step up and grab it, though.
Speaking to the media Wednesday after the first practice of the spring, Robinson identified several players other than Horn who will be in the discussion for the position.
Sophomore R.J. Roderick
Junior Jamyest Williams
Freshman Shilo Sanders
Freshman Jammie Robinson
Roderick is, of course, a potential, probably even likely, starter at safety after coming on strong the latter part of last season. But with more depth at safety this season, a slide down to the nickelback would make sense.
Williams, who is limited this spring as he continues to rehab a shoulder injury, played primarily safety last season but was the Gamecocks' top nickelback as a freshman the year before.
Then there's the two incoming freshmen. Sanders and Jammie Robinson aren't on campus yet, but both are highly regarded by the staff as potential early contributors.
Travaris Robinson didn't single out one over the other, but was specifically asked what he likes about Jammie Robinson.
“I like all good players," Travaris Robinson said. "He can run and he can hit. It’s funny. When he came to camp, we do the county fair at camp. You can see some of the five-star, four-star guys kind of shy away from that stuff. Jammie jumped right in there. He was first person in the line at every drill. That’s just some things we watch.
"We look for characteristic traits we like: guys that are going to have the work ethic, guys that won’t be prima donnas and guys that will come in and compete. One thing that people who’ve been around Jammie will say is that he’s a competitor. That’s important to us. He’s got a chance to be a good football player.”
Of course, if no one takes the position and runs with it, Robinson can always use Horn there as he was one of the best freshmen in the country last season and is continuing to rep at the position now.
But in a perfect world he'd love to see someone else grab the spot and the good news is that there's still a long time until kickoff.
"I'm eager to see that," Robinson said. "If I had to tell you that right now, who would be the starting five when we step out there and what position they'll play, I would probably be pressed to tell you. I wouldn't know that, so I'm excited to see how it goes."
More content from Gamecock Central
- Photos: South Carolina Gamecocks Spring Practice #1
- Practice observations: early defensive depth chart, impressions on a few sophomores
- South Carolina Gamecocks football practice - Day 1 observations
PODCAST: Chris and Wes on Day 1 of spring practice
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