When South Carolina’s football team was working on some team offensive prep in its first 2019 spring practice, one jersey number caught a little attention if one knew where to look.
That would be the big No. 52 of Jaylen Nichols sauntering out to the right tackle spot with the second team.
This matters because Nichols is only a true freshman, at the most challenging position for young players to play, finding his way out with the second team for his first college practice. Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp made the point there’s a long way to go between early practices and whatever he might do in his career, but it also says something he can find that spot so quickly.