The preseason is young, but Alshon Jeffery has impressed both in practice and on the field.

If you follow me on twitter, you’re well aware that the Chicago Bears drafting Alshon Jeffery made me more excited than I can even properly articulate. As a lifelong Bears fan and a loyal Gamecocks fan, getting to see one of South Carolina’s best players ever come to my hometown is amazing. I CANNOT WAIT to go to a game and see him.

Ever since the draft, though, people have asked me what we can expect from Alshon. Will he be focused and hard-working? Can he replicate the success he had in his sophomore season at USC? Will he keep his weight under control? How lucky were we to get him?

I always said I was confident that he’d have it all together and make me proud. Luckily, Alshon has proved me completely right.

The Bears LOVE Alshon. Not a day goes by that he’s not mentioned, either on the news, in an article in the paper, or on social media. It’s AWESOME. I’d obviously be glad that Alshon had found success anywhere, but the fact that it’s with my hometown team is even better.

The team kicked off their preseason games last Thursday against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Chicago didn’t do so well, losing 31-3 (although guys like Jay Cutler and Brian Urlacher didn’t see any playing time), but Alshon made it clear that he’s going to have a serious impact this season.

The announcers and the camera focused on Alshon frequently, even when he was just standing on the sideline. Bears coach Lovie Smith said Alshon was one of the few players they were impressed with after Thursday’s loss, and Smith, along with Alshon’s other coaches and teammates, have praised his work ethic, commitment, and skill level since practice started, one fellow player even comparing him to Brandon Marshall (who is, of course, also a Bear).

» Continue reading “Alshon Jeffery Continues To Impress The Bears (And I’m Thrilled)”

It was a good day to be South Carolina.

After the NCAA released its ruling and the university found out they’ll face no further sanctions, the baseball team got down to business, resuming their game from yesterday which was postponed due to weather.

LB and Reptar took questions following Game 2. Seriously.

The Cocks were hitless when the game resumed in the eighth inning, but Adam Matthews changed all that with a solo homer to lead off the inning. That one run was all the scoring either team would do, and USC hung on for a 1-0 victory over the Tide.

Michael Roth pitched all seven innings on Thursday, surrendering no runs on four hits. He walked four batters and struck out five. Tyler Webb, who pitched a perfect eighth inning, got the win and is now 4-0 on the season. Matt Price hurled a flawless ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the year. Bama’s Jon Keller took the loss and fell to 1-3.

Game 2 had all the hits and runs the first game was lacking. South Carolina defeated Alabama 12-11 thanks to a bottom-of-the-ninth rally, and the teams combined for 27 hits.

The Crimson Tide got on the board early, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Christian Walker smacked a ball out of the park to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the inning, but Bama responded with a two-run shot of their own. Matthews hit another solo bomb in the second inning and Grayson Greiner went yard to bring in three runs in the fourth. The Gamecocks led 9-7 after the fourth inning, but the Tide weren’t done.

Bama held an 11-9 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, when Sean Sullivan stepped up to save the day. After Evan Marzilli struck out, Greiner brought in Walker from second with a single, and TJ Costen doubled to put runners at second and third. LB Dantzler was intentionally walked, which loaded the bases for Sullivan. He hit a blooper into left-center, and a fielding flub allowed Costen to make it across home plate.

» Continue reading “Yardcocks Take Series Over Bama, Jeffery Drafted By Bears”

Grad school has consumed my life this week, sorry kids. Here’s a quick roundup of the latest happenings in Gamecock Nation:

• Michael Roth: still a stud. The guy pitched a seven-inning no-hitter today and was selected as a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes athletes for their work both on and off the field. 30 baseball players were selected, and that list will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the season. The winner will be announced during the College World Series (you might have heard of that), it’s kind of a big deal). Roth isn’t the only Gamecock on the list – Todd Hornsby of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks was chosen as well.
• Alshon Jeffery: not fat. Jeffery’s official measurements at the NFL combine  were  6’3″, 216 pounds. That’s just a little bit off from the over 230 pounds he was rumored to be at (key word: rumored). AJ is waiting to decide whether or not he’ll run the 40 in Indy (where the combine is being held) or wait until USC’s pro day. Jeffery, who has been accused of being slow, claims that he’s faster now that he’s lighter. Some unsolicicted advice for you, Alshon: run it now, and then again in Columbia if you need to. It can’t hurt.
• Men’s basketball: does not need Bruce Pearl to be the coach. Believe it or not, there are actually some who believe Pearl coming to South Carolina would be a good thing. Seriously, people. Yes, Darrin Horn is failing spectacularly, but at least he follows the rules. I don’t care whether Pearl could put us in the win column lickety split, he is a sketchy dude, and the proof of that is in the show-clause penalty the NCAA placed on him. We have enough problems, we don’t need potential cheating, too.

Alshon Jeffery and Stephon Gilmore: NFL-bound

We all knew this day would come, and yet, now that it’s here, it’s hard not to be just a little (or a lot) bummed out. Alshon Jeffery and Stephon Gilmore declared for the NFL draft today, forgoing their senior years and effectively ending their careers at the University of South Carolina. Should either or both change their mind, they have about a week and a half to retract their decision, unless an agent has been signed.

Jeffery, who set the school record for 100-yard games at 12 and was voted the MVP of the Capital One Bowl despite being ejected from the game, and is the all-time leading receiver at USC with 3,042 yards, while Gilmore leaves Carolina with 173 sacks, seven tackles, and eight interceptions in his career.

Though he didn’t have the season many expected, there’s no doubt that Jeffery has NFL-caliber talent. In a statement released through the university, Alshon, who is a projected first-round pick, said:

“I would like to thank the fans, my teammates, Coach (Steve) Spurrier and everyone involved for all the opportunities South Carolina has provided me. I am proud to say I will always be a Gamecock.”

He also told ESPN’s Joe Schad:

“I’m ready for the next step. I’m physical and can make plays in the red zone. I can make big plays in big games. I can work on my speed and get quicker. I want to be like Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson.”

Of his decision and talent level, Gilmore had this to say:

“It’s my time to leave. It’s about my family. I can press man. I can play physical. I have good . I will try to do things like Al Harris did in the NFL.”

» Continue reading “Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow”

Garcia, Jeffery, and Lattimore (photos courtesy of USC Athletics Dept.)

Three Gamecocks have been placed on the Watch List for the Maxwell Award, along with 63 other collegiate players.  Stephen Garcia (QB), Alshon Jeffery (WR), and Marcus Lattimore (RB) have all been placed on the list.  The semi-finalists will be announced October 31st, and the winner will be revealed on November 21st.

The Maxwell Award is an annual recognition given to the best player in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.  The award has been given out since 1937, and is named for Robert Maxwell.

Eleven SEC players have been placed on the Watch List, and one player from Clemson, Andre Ellington, was also selected.

For the complete Watch List, click here.