NCAA FB

Spurrier: QB Garcia likely back for camp

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was his usual charming self on Wednesday.
Share This Story

Updated Jul 20, 2011 11:39 PM ET
     
 

HOOVER, Ala. (AP)

Steve Spurrier was back in his old SEC media days form, cracking wise, raving about his team's offensive playmakers and still managing a folksy dose of poormouthing, too.

SEC: NEWS AND NOTES

He said ''in all likelihood'', quarterback Stephen Garcia will be back in the fold for preseason camp. After all, Spurrier cracked, ''I guess we don't want to kick him out for stupidity.''

Yep, the head ball coach had his famous dry wit on full display Wednesday, almost like his swaggering Florida days. He's back on top again, at least in the Southeastern Conference's East Division, and there's no reason to hold back too much.

''Most coaches if they win a lot, win a lot of championships, they do talk a little bit more,'' Spurrier said.

The Gamecocks have plenty to talk about these days after making the SEC championship game for the first time and knocking off both Clemson and then-No. 1 Alabama.

One hot topic: Garcia. He was suspended for the fifth time in April, this one for his behavior in a life skills seminar.

Spurrier said the senior quarterback has done everything required of him so far to rejoin the team and has made some ''lifestyle changes.'' But will he start? That's open for discussion.

Spurrier said the SEC's most experienced quarterback will still have to beat out sophomore Connor Shaw, who was solid in nine relief appearances last season.

''We're going to have competition,'' Spurrier said. ''I guess everyone assumes Stephen is going to be the quarterback if he's there. But we'll see.''

There's little doubt who the emerging quarterback's biggest weapons will be. Powerful running back Marcus Lattimore emerged as one of the league's most unstoppable forces and Alshon Jeffery was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver.

Spurrier's 2 cents: They're the nation's best at their position, and it's not an outlandish opinion. As for the rest of the team, he said it might be the best collection of talent he's had in his seven seasons with the Gamecocks. Plus, he's got the nation's No. 1 recruit in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Spurrier says Clowney will be on the field ''early and often'' as a freshman.

But Spurrier also points out that South Carolina took advantage of down years for East rivals Georgia, Florida and Tennessee and repeating as division champs won't be easy.

''I think so far the guys are pretty levelheaded,'' Spurrier said. ''But the fans, because we've not had a lot of success there, they're going to tell the guys how great they are. Hopefully we'll be smart enough to handle it and go from there.


Get the latest college football recruiting news from Scout.com.

''But historically we've not, so it will be a challenge to see if we can handle some preseason predictions, 'cause we've never had much of those before in the past.''

Lattimore thinks the Gamecocks have the makings of a contender.

''We've got the talent to do it on offense, defense and special teams,'' he said. ''We've just got to finish. We've got a good shot to win it, I think.''

And they've got a veteran quarterback who has started 30 games. Or a younger guy who has shown flashes both as a runner and a passer..

Jeffery is OK with either of them.

''My level of confidence with Connor is 100 percent,'' he said. ''I'm behind each of our quarterbacks 100 percent, no matter what.''

Tagged: South Carolina, Stephen Garcia

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

HBO Real Sports: Bill O'Brien Posted: May 20, 2013
Penn State coach and 2012 National Coach of the Year shares the challenges in tu...

Horrow: College Football Business Report Posted: May 20, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news.

Horrow: CFB Business Report Posted: May 13, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news, including a TV deal b...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/759777/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_759000/ff_759777_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Michigan_State_Spartans/browse/featuredproduct/760171/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_760000/ff_760171_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White
    Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/761373/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_761000/ff_761373_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/829709/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829709_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimso..
    Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/829740/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829740_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple
    Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_Sooners/browse/featuredproduct/830935/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830935_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/861243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861243_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/861247/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861247_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapback Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1087345/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1087000/ff_1087345_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapba..
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1093431/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1093000/ff_1093431_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft