Beamer and the #Gamecocks are ready to open fall camp (AUDIO)

**USC head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks begin fall camp on Friday**

South Carolina football held its preseason “Media Day” on Thursday with head coach Shane Beamer proclaiming an end to “talking season”. Beamer, his assistants, and many of the Gamecocks were made available to the media prior to the team’s first practice of the preseason on Friday morning.

The first year head coach kicked off his appearance with a funny story from his eight year old son, Hunter. “Try not to get fired this year., Beamer chuckled when relaying the opinion from his young son. “True story, I wish that was a joke. The honeymoon phase is clearly over in my house.”

Beamer utilized some of his time on Thursday to commend Luke Day and the strength and conditioning staff. “It was a long, hard summer. Our guys came back right after Memorial Day and cranked up there at the first week of June and they’ve been non-stop since then. We got a lot of individuals that got better and really took some giant steps. Learned a lot about our football team.”

Beamer said everyone on the roster, except for Isaiah Norris, is on campus and ready to go for fall camp. Norris (DB) is finishing up some academic work that Beamer says should be done within the next couple of days. Among the injuries, Beamer noted that RB Kevin Harris had a, “minor procedure on his back over the summer to clean up something that’s been lingering and bothering him a little bit. He looks great and was in my office today begging Clint Haggard (AT) to let him practice tomorrow. He’s not fully cleared yet to practice, but is on track. Says he feels better than he ever has. Fully expect him to be ready to go game one.”

USC’s head coach was also asked about Covid-19 vaccinations within his team. “We’ve got enough guys that are on track for their second shot and once they get that second shot, we will be well over that 85%. Are we on track to fly right past 85%, yes, once everyone that has already gotten their first shot gets that second shot.”

Players including, Jason Brown, Luke Doty, Jabari Ellis, Kingsley Enagbare, Tonka Hemingway, Dakereon Joyner, MarShawn Lloyd, Nick Muse, and Zacch Pickens were also on hand to preview the start of camp which begins at 9:40am on Friday. The Gamecocks kickoff the new season on Saturday, September 4th against Eastern Illinois inside Williams-Brice Stadium.