JBryant12
03-04-2005, 10:25 AM
Newton shifts to receiver
Spurrier wants to take advantage of junior’s 4.5 speed
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
In a move many South Carolina fans anticipated from the moment Steve Spurrier arrived on campus, the Gamecocks’ new coach said Thursday that quarterback Syvelle Newton will begin spring practice at wide receiver.
“He’s been at quarterback, but he may learn a little receiver also,” Spurrier said. “That’s a lot to double-train, but certainly we’d have a quarterback package for him. He’ll probably start at wide receiver right now.”
Newton played quarterback in 11 games in 2004, posting a 2-3 record in five starts. The Marlboro County graduate completed 70 of 131 passes for 1,093 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
But as Spurrier watched tape of the Gamecocks’ 20-3 victory at Alabama, it was Newton’s running ability that caught his eye. Newton replaced an injured Dondrial Pinkins and rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
The 6-foot-2, 196-pound rising junior was USC’s third-leading rusher, carrying 104 times for 262 yards and a team-high five rushing touchdowns.
“He’s a guy that can run with it. He can make guys miss,” said Spurrier, adding that Newton was timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash during speed testing this week.
Newton was one of six current and former players arrested in January for allegedly taking $18,000 worth of property from Williams-Brice Stadium in November. Newton and offensive lineman Freddy Saint-Preux were suspended following their arrests.
Both have been placed on a probationary status that allows them to work out with the team. They are expected to participate in spring practice.
Newton’s academic status is a bigger issue. Said Spurrier: “He’s got some academic issues he’s got to hang on to real close. Other than that, he’s doing OK.”
Newton approached Spurrier on Wednesday about the possibility of playing other positions. As a freshman in 2003, Newton caught 22 passes for 277 yards in 12 games as a receiver.
“He’s valuable. He could play tailback, receiver, quarterback,” Spurrier said. “He could play a lot of positions.”
Newton’s move leaves redshirt sophomore Blake Mitchell as the likely candidate to take the first spring snaps at quarterback. Mitchell, a highly regarded prospect out of LaGrange, Ga., two years ago, struggled in five appearances this past season, completing 9 of 22 passes for 86 yards with three interceptions, one touchdown and an efficiency rating of 61.47 (compared to Newton’s 129.4).
But the 6-4, 192-pound Mitchell is the kind of drop-back passer Spurrier prefers to have triggering his Fun ’n’ Gun offense. Redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner and walk-on Brett Nichols are the other quarterbacks on the roster.
Mike Rathe is appealing to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility after the organization denied his original request. Incoming freshmen Cade Thompson and Tommy Beecher will join the team this summer.
Spring fling. Spurrier said the public is welcome to attend the Gamecocks’ first four or five spring practices. If the crowd gets too big, Spurrier said he would move the drills from the practice field to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Speed kills. Strength coach Mark Smith told Spurrier that 26 players ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds or faster this week in testing done in the indoor practice facility with hand-held timers. By comparison, Spurrier’s Florida squad in 2000 had 24 players at 4.5 or faster.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.
Spurrier wants to take advantage of junior’s 4.5 speed
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
In a move many South Carolina fans anticipated from the moment Steve Spurrier arrived on campus, the Gamecocks’ new coach said Thursday that quarterback Syvelle Newton will begin spring practice at wide receiver.
“He’s been at quarterback, but he may learn a little receiver also,” Spurrier said. “That’s a lot to double-train, but certainly we’d have a quarterback package for him. He’ll probably start at wide receiver right now.”
Newton played quarterback in 11 games in 2004, posting a 2-3 record in five starts. The Marlboro County graduate completed 70 of 131 passes for 1,093 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
But as Spurrier watched tape of the Gamecocks’ 20-3 victory at Alabama, it was Newton’s running ability that caught his eye. Newton replaced an injured Dondrial Pinkins and rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
The 6-foot-2, 196-pound rising junior was USC’s third-leading rusher, carrying 104 times for 262 yards and a team-high five rushing touchdowns.
“He’s a guy that can run with it. He can make guys miss,” said Spurrier, adding that Newton was timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash during speed testing this week.
Newton was one of six current and former players arrested in January for allegedly taking $18,000 worth of property from Williams-Brice Stadium in November. Newton and offensive lineman Freddy Saint-Preux were suspended following their arrests.
Both have been placed on a probationary status that allows them to work out with the team. They are expected to participate in spring practice.
Newton’s academic status is a bigger issue. Said Spurrier: “He’s got some academic issues he’s got to hang on to real close. Other than that, he’s doing OK.”
Newton approached Spurrier on Wednesday about the possibility of playing other positions. As a freshman in 2003, Newton caught 22 passes for 277 yards in 12 games as a receiver.
“He’s valuable. He could play tailback, receiver, quarterback,” Spurrier said. “He could play a lot of positions.”
Newton’s move leaves redshirt sophomore Blake Mitchell as the likely candidate to take the first spring snaps at quarterback. Mitchell, a highly regarded prospect out of LaGrange, Ga., two years ago, struggled in five appearances this past season, completing 9 of 22 passes for 86 yards with three interceptions, one touchdown and an efficiency rating of 61.47 (compared to Newton’s 129.4).
But the 6-4, 192-pound Mitchell is the kind of drop-back passer Spurrier prefers to have triggering his Fun ’n’ Gun offense. Redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner and walk-on Brett Nichols are the other quarterbacks on the roster.
Mike Rathe is appealing to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility after the organization denied his original request. Incoming freshmen Cade Thompson and Tommy Beecher will join the team this summer.
Spring fling. Spurrier said the public is welcome to attend the Gamecocks’ first four or five spring practices. If the crowd gets too big, Spurrier said he would move the drills from the practice field to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Speed kills. Strength coach Mark Smith told Spurrier that 26 players ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds or faster this week in testing done in the indoor practice facility with hand-held timers. By comparison, Spurrier’s Florida squad in 2000 had 24 players at 4.5 or faster.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.