COLUMBIA — Spring practice begins in 10 days, but South Carolina already has a notable injury.
Offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak, a prized pickup from the transfer portal, sustained an injury this week and his status going forward is unknown.
“Jacarrius Peak suffered a lower-body injury earlier this week and will miss spring practice,” coach Gamecocks Shane Beamer said in a statement to The Post and Courier. “We expect that he will be available this season.”
Other published reports said that Peak has a knee injury and sustained it playing basketball. The Gamecocks had a team-building basketball tournament earlier this week.
Expected to be the linchpin of a heavily revamped offensive line, Peak chose USC over several of the country’s top programs.
He started for three years at N.C. State, playing 32 of 38 games at either left or right tackle. The Gamecocks, after giving up 43 sacks last year and firing line coach Lonnie Teasley midseason, signed eight portal linemen and saw nine leave via the portal.
USC lost edge rusher Jaylen Brown, a transfer from Missouri, during spring drills last year, and he never played a snap during the season. He has since transferred to LSU.
Spring practice begins on March 4.
Smiley announced
The Gamecocks officially announced Matthew Smiley as special teams coordinator on Feb. 21. He will be introduced on Feb. 24.