South-Carolina

South Carolina HC dishes on new Dolphins CB Cam Smith

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2023

South Carolina HC dishes on new Dolphins CB Cam Smith

The Miami Dolphins were without a first-round draft pick in April’s annual selection process, so their opening selection wasn’t made until pick No. 51 overall.

With that pick, the Dolphins drafted South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith, which was a bit of a shock to fans, as Miami seemed to be rather deep at the position entering the event.

Smith will have an opportunity to compete for the third cornerback spot behind former All-Pros Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. He’ll be fighting against Nik Needham, who’s returning from a torn Achilles, and Kader Kohou, who showed out as an undrafted rookie in 2022.

Last month, Dolphins podcaster and writer Travis Wingfield spoke to South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer regarding the cornerback, and competition was one of his main takeaways from coaching him.

“I think the biggest thing with him, and you guys will see it, is just what a competitor he is,” Beamer said. “Cam didn’t really have to say anything. He did it with his actions on the field, and I know that’s cliche, but we talk about competition here all the time, and one of the things about Cam is that he loves to compete. No matter what was going on, when he stepped foot on the football field, whether it be a game or a practice, he turned it on. He’s a fierce competitor, and that’s the biggest thing. Competition’s a core value in the program, and he displayed that every time he competed.”

Competition is a great attribute for an NFL cornerback, especially one that will have to beat out veterans to earn more opportunities as a first-year player. However, it might be his mind that led to him being targeted by Miami.

“One thing about Cam that I don’t think he gets enough credit for is just how football smart he is,” Beamer said. “Some of my best memories of him are just being on the practice field, and he would come up and just ask me questions that make you think as a head coach as well. He really studies the game, and I think (he) does a really good job of that.”

If Smith can correct his penalty issue that plagued him during his collegiate career, he could be a great addition to this defense that really solidifies the unit.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

South Carolina continues to mine the transfer portal to fill needs and the Gamecocks have sent out another known offer to an interior defensive lineman.

Bowling Green transfer portal DL Davonte Miles posted on Twitter/X Saturday that the Gamecocks have offered the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder.

In addition to South Carolina, Miles is hearing from Mississippi State, Memphis, Northwestern, and UConn.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Miles is expected to play in Bowling Green’s bowl game on Dec. 26 and will likely make a decision after that.

Listed as a redshirt sophomore, Miles should have two years of eligibility left.

Miles collected 10 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and two quarterback hurries this season.

He is originally from River Rouge, Mich.

South Carolina is expected to bring in multiple interior defensive linemen from the portal as the Gamecocks will have to replace Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley, Deandre Jules, and likely T.J. Sanders from this year’s talented group.

Carolina already has one portal commitment at the position in Texas A&M transfer and former five-star Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy.

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South Carolina signee finishes Shrine Bowl week domination with huge defensive touchdown

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

South Carolina signee finishes Shrine Bowl week domination with huge defensive touchdown

This week, some of the top high school players from both South Carolina and North Carolina took part in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. South Carolina had 11 signees selected for the game, but some did not participate due to early enrollment at USC.

One name that popped up all week was Havelock, North Carolina native Donovan Darden. In fact, On3’s Charles Power picked Darden as his practice MVP. The future Gamecock linebacker got reps at both defensive end and linebacker.

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On Saturday, in what became a dominant 49-24 victory for the Tar Heels, Darden put his stamp on the strong week with a big-time play. Late in the 3rd quarter, North Carolina led 28-10 when the future Gamecock effectively ended the game. Irmo High School quarterback AJ Brand rolled right out of the pocket to escape pressure and tried fitting a pass through a tight window. Darden, who was in a short zone, stepped in front of the pass and picked it off. An elite athlete, he also made short work of the 48-yard return as he took the interception back for a score.

You can watch the play below.

South Carolina signee Donovan Darden capped off an incredible week at @ShrineBowlNCSC with a pick six to put North Carolina up 35-10
Darden owns 21-10.75 LJ & 45-8 Shot Put personal bests. Strong showing all week from the former HS quarterback pic.twitter.com/oDhCnTSVL2
— Hudson Standish (@247Hudson) December 21, 2024

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Darden will join a linebacker room at South Carolina that could need a youngster or two to play. The Gamecocks use their ‘backers in a variety of ways, and his experience as a pass rusher could help him get on the field. He also has a solid frame already, measuring in at 6’4″ and 225 pounds. On3 ranks Darden as a 4-star EDGE prospect. In On3’s rankings, he is No. 122 nationally, No. 6 in North Carolina, and No. 13 among EDGEs. He will start his USC career in the linebacker room but could grow into an EDGE.

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Radford visits South Carolina after Murray-Boyles’ 22-point outing

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Radford visits South Carolina after Murray-Boyles’ 22-point outing

Associated Press

Radford Highlanders (10-4) at South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3)

Columbia, South Carolina; Sunday, 2 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: South Carolina hosts Radford after Collin Murray-Boyles scored 22 points in South Carolina’s 91-88 overtime victory against the Clemson Tigers.

The Gamecocks are 6-1 in home games. South Carolina has a 1-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Highlanders have gone 3-4 away from home. Radford scores 77.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.3 points per game.

South Carolina’s average of 8.0 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.6 fewer made shots on average than the 8.6 per game Radford allows. Radford has shot at a 44.9% rate from the field this season, 3.7 percentage points higher than the 41.2% shooting opponents of South Carolina have averaged.

TOP PERFORMERS: Murray-Boyles is averaging 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Gamecocks.

Brandon Maclin is averaging 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Highlanders.

LAST 10 GAMES: Gamecocks: 8-2, averaging 76.9 points, 32.8 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 4.9 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.2 points per game.

Highlanders: 7-3, averaging 75.5 points, 38.2 rebounds, 12.4 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.2 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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