GTmorris1970
03-09-2006, 02:17 AM
Posted on Thu, Mar. 09, 2006
Lineman’s arrival on USC campus delayed
Classroom duties will cause 6-foot-7, 320-pound Bailey to miss spring practice
By JOSEPH PERSONjperson@thestate.com
Clarence Bailey still believes he can play early on USC’s offensive line. But it will not be as soon as he hoped.
The junior-college transfer said Wednesday he would not enroll at USC in time to participate in the Gamecocks’ spring practice, which begins Tuesday with the first of 15 workouts.
Bailey, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle from Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College, is expected to contend for a starting spot for the Gamecocks, who lost three starters up front.
“At first I was (disappointed to miss spring), but I really have to buckle down and just get this work done first,” Bailey said.
Bailey, rated the country’s No.29 junior-college prospect by Rivals.com, signed with the Gamecocks in December after initially committing to Mississippi. After falling short of his graduation requirements at Lackawanna, Bailey enrolled in two online courses through BYU and planned to arrive at USC this month and register in the school’s eight-week program at Fort Jackson.
Instead, Bailey will finish his online courses, take a class at a two-year school near his home in Trenton, N.J., and enroll in USC’s first summer-school session, which starts May 29.
Rising junior Jamon Meredith ended the 2005 season as the starter at right tackle. The Canadian tandem of Gurminder Thind and Justin Sorensen and converted defensive lineman Seth Edwards will vie for the other tackle spot during spring drills.
Hill lands coaching gig. Former USC running backs coach Madre Hill, fired after one season with the Gamecocks, was hired this week to coach running backs at Florida International. The Golden Panthers, who went 5-6 in 2005 in their first year in the Sun Belt Conference, are coached by former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock.
When he fired him, Steve Spurrier told the 30-year-old Hill he was looking for a coach with more experience. Hill said he had no hard feelings, even after learning Spurrier replaced him with 26-year-old Robert Gillespie, a former Florida back who was a USC graduate assistant last year.
“It wasn’t much of a surprise,” Hill said. “I know that he and Gillespie had a past relationship, and I wish them the best.”
Middleton leaves program. Backup linebacker Alonzo Middleton, who did not take a snap in two seasons at USC, has quit the team, sports information director Steve Fink said. Attempts to reach Middleton, an Orangeburg native who played in the 2003 Shrine Bowl, were unsuccessful.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
Lineman’s arrival on USC campus delayed
Classroom duties will cause 6-foot-7, 320-pound Bailey to miss spring practice
By JOSEPH PERSONjperson@thestate.com
Clarence Bailey still believes he can play early on USC’s offensive line. But it will not be as soon as he hoped.
The junior-college transfer said Wednesday he would not enroll at USC in time to participate in the Gamecocks’ spring practice, which begins Tuesday with the first of 15 workouts.
Bailey, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle from Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College, is expected to contend for a starting spot for the Gamecocks, who lost three starters up front.
“At first I was (disappointed to miss spring), but I really have to buckle down and just get this work done first,” Bailey said.
Bailey, rated the country’s No.29 junior-college prospect by Rivals.com, signed with the Gamecocks in December after initially committing to Mississippi. After falling short of his graduation requirements at Lackawanna, Bailey enrolled in two online courses through BYU and planned to arrive at USC this month and register in the school’s eight-week program at Fort Jackson.
Instead, Bailey will finish his online courses, take a class at a two-year school near his home in Trenton, N.J., and enroll in USC’s first summer-school session, which starts May 29.
Rising junior Jamon Meredith ended the 2005 season as the starter at right tackle. The Canadian tandem of Gurminder Thind and Justin Sorensen and converted defensive lineman Seth Edwards will vie for the other tackle spot during spring drills.
Hill lands coaching gig. Former USC running backs coach Madre Hill, fired after one season with the Gamecocks, was hired this week to coach running backs at Florida International. The Golden Panthers, who went 5-6 in 2005 in their first year in the Sun Belt Conference, are coached by former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock.
When he fired him, Steve Spurrier told the 30-year-old Hill he was looking for a coach with more experience. Hill said he had no hard feelings, even after learning Spurrier replaced him with 26-year-old Robert Gillespie, a former Florida back who was a USC graduate assistant last year.
“It wasn’t much of a surprise,” Hill said. “I know that he and Gillespie had a past relationship, and I wish them the best.”
Middleton leaves program. Backup linebacker Alonzo Middleton, who did not take a snap in two seasons at USC, has quit the team, sports information director Steve Fink said. Attempts to reach Middleton, an Orangeburg native who played in the 2003 Shrine Bowl, were unsuccessful.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.