More on McCollum, Saunders & Johnson
The backup quarterback has left the team, the starting tight end is on indefinite leave and Ellis Johnson isn’t going anywhere.
That’s your Gamecock football update in a nutshell, sports fans.
Reid McCollum’s decision to quit is not all that surprising. And while playing time is certainly an issue – who would have imagined a Steve Spurrier No. 2 QB would get in for two mop-up series all year? – there are some around the Gamecocks’ program who have questioned whether McCollum’s heart was ever in it.
But let’s not be too hard on McCollum. In a tragic, four-month span in the fall of 2007, McCollum endured what no high school senior should have to – the deaths of a former Summerville coach and his ex-girlfriend in separate fires.
McCollum is said to be looking at transferring to an FCS or DII school where he can play immediately. But one source who knows McCollum well said Tuesday it would not be surprising if McCollum gives up football, stays at USC and enjoys life as a student.
The player who gains the most from McCollum’s departure would seem to be freshman Connor Shaw, whom Spurrier described as a “football junkie” last week a few days after Shaw arrived on campus as an early enrollee.
I had the chance to visit with Shaw and his father last year at Flowery Branch High near Gainesville, Ga. And Spurrier’s right: When I showed up in the middle of the afternoon, Shaw was throwing on his own in the school’s stadium during his free period.
There are a lot of players who love football, but that doesn’t necessarily make them great football players. Spurrier made similar comments about Aramis Hillary a couple years ago, saying he was impressed that Hillary would carry a football with him between classes.
Hillary has yet to take a snap at USC, and could be a transfer candidate himself.
But Shaw certainly figures to get his chance to show what he can do this spring. None of the QBs behind Garcia has taken a snap in a game.
TE Weslye Saunders should be back by then. The junior has been suspended by Spurrier for missing the initial team meeting of the spring semester last week.
Saunders, USC’s third-leading receiver in ’09, considered leaving early for the NFL. But since his return, Saunders has managed to get on Spurrier’s bad side with his indifferent attitude.
Saunders is a smart, outspoken player who on occasion has gotten in trouble with his candor, such as when he suggested after the Arkansas game his reduced role in previous weeks stemmed from the fact that principal play-caller Steve Spurrier Jr. was the receivers coach (rather than the TEs coach).
Based on his silence-is-bliss-type comments on his Twitter feed Tuesday, Saunders might be more inclined to “no comment” after his suspension is lifted.
As for Johnson, the Gamecocks’ assistant head coach for defense (read: defensive coordinator if that weren’t Lorenzo Ward’s title) has not been mentioned for every head coach or coordinator opening this offseason. It only seems that way.
Louisiana Tech was the latest school to show an interest in Johnson, contacting him to see if he would be interested in replacing Derek Dooley. Johnson declined.
Johnson likes it here. His wife is from Columbia and recently opened up a Gamecocks’ women’s boutique near Colonial Life Arena.
He’s also good at what he does. The Gamecocks were third in the SEC in total defense last season. The two teams above them – Florida and Alabama – played in what amounted to the national semifinal.
Johnson is USC’s highest-paid assistant at $350,000. That’s good money. But it’s not what Georgia is paying new D-coordinator Todd Grantham ($750K a year for three years) or what Tennessee reportedly is willing to shell out for its DC ($800K).
Spurrier turned down a raise when his contract was extended in December but said he hoped to get his assistants more money.
Johnson will get his raise. It might not be $750,000, but it will be a bump for recognition of a job well done.
16 Comments to “More on McCollum, Saunders & Johnson”
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USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
Weslye Saunders is a very talented TE who should be thrown to more. He is reliable, blocks well, and he can run after the catch. We need an outspoken player like him.
Thanks for the info Joe.
Pay Ellis. He’s the only bright spot in the USC football program.
reid mc has always been a bit of a whimp. the red flags were on the wall when he got homesick and left usc to go home after arriving early his first year. if he knew the system better, he might have gotten more chances this last season. instead of knuckling down and competing, he once again chooses to leave. big surprise! you won’t see this kind of behavior from shaw, bank on that. i think shaw will do us proud over the next four years.
Joe,
You suggested that Hilary might also be a transfer candidate. Really, do you know something we don’t? Because by all accounts, Hilary has wanted to be a Gamecock all his life, with McCollum leaving, he gets that much closer to that #1 spot. Shaw may be the next Heisman trophy winner, but there is NO way a freshman gets in the mix for #1 or #2 QB spot. So unless you know something we don’t about Hilary, to suggest that he is a possible transfer is just irresponsible journalism. But that would be par for the course for The State.
Just hope Spurrier and the staff do not run off any more recruits or current team members. Seems like rats deserting a sinking ship.
JD,
Yes, I was told Hillary also might be considering a transfer.
[...] of Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders.6. In a bit of good news, defensive guru Ellis Johnson told Louisiana Tech that he’s happy in Columbia.7. Gamecock center Sam Muldrow knows that he needs to grab more boards and play better [...]
With Reid leaving, our best QB returning is leaving. Hillary should be moved to slot receiver.
Come on coach.
Wow, McCullom hasnt even left school yet and the Kool-Aid Cadets are already throwing him under the bus.
Saunders was right. They should have used him more last year. Just like they should have used Jared Cook more. When you start hurting a D with completions to a TE then the D will make adjustments to stop thereby reducing the pressure on the QB which was sorely needed last year.
QB #2 McCollum is leaving, QB #3 Hillary might be leaving and a couple of freshmen are coming in. I sure hope QB #1 does not get into anymore trouble with the law or Spurrier’s 3 strikes and good bye will come into effect! This does not look like SEC depth at QB for an Eastern Division contender!
Why do so many players leave the Gamecocks every year?
Bubba, that would be a good question, but you answered it before you asked it……. trouble. The only school with more thugs on the roster is Tennessee. All the gamecocks need is for Garcia to take a bad hit, and it’s over! Why do 4 Qb’s leave in 2 yrs? They probably see the incompatence that is Spurrier! I’ll smoke an old shoe before I believe Usc will ever contend for a championship. The only reason that talk got started was because Clemson won their division. Carolina has started this mocking of, and obvious obsession to be more like Clemson. Did everyone forget we got Alabama, Florida, Tenn., Ark, Auburn, Vandy, Miss St. and Uga next year. 5-3 at best won’t win the East!
Why do so many players at Clemsuck get in trouble with the law and never miss so much as a practice, Bubba?
Guess it’s all that Christian forgiveness and family atmosphere up in Tatertown, huh?
Also Bubba, QB #2 Willy “Heisman” Korn already left, QB #3 has yet to take a snap in a game. I sure hope QB #1 doesn’t head for the pro baseball draft this summer! This does not look like ACC depth at QB for a defending Atlantic Division contender (lol)!
p.s. 34-17
Joe,
I stand corrected.