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Jadeveon Clowney will be featured regionally on the cover of Sports Illustrated, we learned on Tuesday morning. The other regional cover will feature Ohio State's Braxton Miller. How these "regions" will be divided remains a bit of a mystery - especially with Columbus and Columbia being relatively close together in the overall context of America's geography - but I would assume that South Carolinians at least can feel assured that it will be the Clowney version hitting their local newsstands on March 4th.
Joining Alshon Jeffery, Clowney becomes the second Gamecock football player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Unlike Jeffery, Clowney does not appear to be donning a spare tire on the cover of the country's preeminent sports periodical.
Gamecock Football News
GamecockCentral.com: USC finally connecting with former players
The athletic department's relationship with former players has been something of a sore subject over the past decade or so. The situation has been improving steadily, however, with several former football players making a habit of returning for to campus to watch practice and the like. And many regard Monday's gathering of 50 former Gamecocks for a "Gamecock Pros" luncheon as yet another step in the right direction in building a bridge between the past and the present.
Several Gamecock greats were on hand for the event, including Sheldon Brown, Na'Shan Goddard, Andre Goodman, Fred Bennett, Cliff Matthews, Travian Robertson, and Ryan Brewer. Of course, the Head Ball Coach was and representatives from the athletic department - including Ray Tanner - were also on hand.
Steve Spurrier didn't drop any bombs during his brief media availability at the luncheon, but he did have a few quick things to say about the Gamecocks' quarterback situation entering the spring:
"[Connor Shaw] is coming along nicely. I think he'll be able to stand and throw and do some stuff. He won't be completely out of spring ball... We've got two good quarterbacks... We may have an offense where both [Shaw and Thompson] play."
He also mentioned that he had a plan in place if Nick Saban had been able to lure his offensive line coach and run game coordinator to Tuscaloosa:
Spurrier says that had Shawn Elliott left for Bama, his first call would have been to former USC off. tackle Travelle Wharton.
— Scott Hood (@ScottHood63) February 25, 2013
Heading into the spring, the offensive tackle positions are relatively stable
For the first time in a while, the Gamecocks return both of their starters at the offensive tackle positions. Brandon Shell and Corey Robinson front a young-but-experienced roster of linemen, with several players down on the depth chart looking to make a move up for playing time. Will Mike Matulis recover from his chronic shoulder injuries to make an impact? Is Cody Gibson back to full strength after his mysterious in-season illness? Shawn Elliott talked with Gamecock Central to update them on the progress of his unit entering spring ball.
Gamecock Baseball News
Gamecocks knock off Furman 5-2 behind Jack Wynkoop, Evan Beal
South Carolina upended Furman on Tuesday afternoon 5-2 at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks (6-1) now turn their attention to the three-game set against Clemson. The Big Spur's John Whittle offers analysis of South Carolina's midweek victory over the Paladins.
Gamecock Basketball News
Henry ready to take final three visits
Bradenton, FL forward Demetrius Henry will take visits to his final three schools - South Carolina, Miami, and South Florida - in the coming weeks. Henry plans to sign with his college of choice on April 17th, the first day of the spring signing period.
Chad Frazier narrows it down to two and sets official visit to Texas A & M
In addition to Henry, Frank Martin is also scouring the JUCO ranks to fill his 2013-14 roster. One of those players is guard Chad Frazier, who has narrowed his choice down to South Carolina and Texas A&M. Frazier plans to visit Columbia in mid-March.
Also, Frank Martin filmed a segment of "Katz Korner" on ESPNU. They did not spend very much time discussing the 2012-13 Gamecocks: