The annual Birdies with Beamer golf event involving some USC coaches, media members and program supporters was cut short by heavy rain at Cobblestone Park Golf Club in Bythewood Thursday. Following the golf, USC head coach Shane Beamer held a question and answer session with the media as he’s eight days away from opening his fourth pre-season camp with the Gamecocks.
A few highlights:
- They had an “awesome” summer, had a team workout this morning, players are off through Monday, been here since Memorial Day, first official practice is a week from Friday.
- Everybody is healthy except for Sandy, all will be able to practice starting next week.
- \With the new rules, he’s taken the analysts and made them all assistants to the assistant coaches at particular positions.
- Thinks the roster cap of 105 is a good number. Still working through the particulars of the new number.
- Believes they are not far off as a team, got to find more ways to make plays in the fourth quarter and finish, they are a year older, excited about the people in the program, they weren’t happy, and they are hungry, last season left a bad taste in their mouth.
- Gotten stronger and healthier in the off season, August is a critical month because of so many new faces.
- Didn’t have enough depth on the OL last season and went through growing pains, but now a year older, and they have additions who will add depth and experience, he likes the room as a whole.
- Dylan Stewart has worked very hard to reshape his body, went through spring practice and has worked hard in the off season to get ready for his first season.
- Feels very good about his running backs room, the returnees and the new guys, and feels Rocket Sanders is one of the best running backs in the country, but likes all the guys at that position.