Spend enough time around Oliver C. Dawson Stadium and you know.

Last season’s taste of postseason play has left these Bulldogs hungry for more. Talk around South Carolina State spring practice this year isn’t of MEAC Championships and playoff berths. Those goals were reached last year.

This year, there’s another goal -- a national title. After South Carolina State’s first scrimmage of the spring, with his players gathered around him, Bulldogs’ head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough told his team that he thought they could be the best to ever slide on a Bulldogs’ uniform.

A lot of that could depend on the development of a handful of players. Below is a look at several guys -- important to the Bulldogs’ upcoming season -- to keep an eye on when the Garnet and Blue Spring Game kicks off at 1 p.m. today at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Offense

WR Lennell Elmore (R-Fr., 6-0, 185, #1)

Illness grounded “Superman” last season. So far during spring practice, the former Allendale-Fairfax standout has more than taken flight as a play-making wideout. During the team’s first scrimmage, Elmore stole the show with a three-catch, 79-yard, one-touchdown performance. Today, the question is whether Elmore can do that again, and leave the spring behind, established as the Bulldogs’ go-to-guy.

C Casey Fortune (R-Sr., 6-2, 300, #62)The graduation of four-year starter Raymond “Duck” Harrison left a huge leadership and skill void at the center position. Up to the challenge of filling it is the son of Lee Central girls’ basketball coach Dorothy Fortune who has primarily seen action at tackle. The Bulldogs also signed Sam Timothy to play center, but seem comfortable for now leaving him in a backup role.

TE DeWain Clark, (R-So., 6-3, 200, #16)

Clark, who proved himself a capable backup at quarterback a season ago, has shown solid hands through the spring and looks like a potentially solid replacement for departed tight end Octavius Darby. With a good performance today, Clark -- who would have, at best, snuck a few snaps away from Long -- could firmly entrench himself as the top tight end heading into next season.

QB Derrick Wiley, (R-Fr., 6-1, 190, #19)

Through the spring, Wiley, who has been compared to Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards by Pough, has shown flashes of brilliance. He’s mobile and has a great arm, and the coaches thought enough of him to feel comfortable moving Clark, a proven backup, to tight end. Wiley gets another chance today to show he will be ready should he be called upon.

OL Jake Johnson, (R-So., 6-4, 330, #73)

Pough has said all spring he was concerned about the physicality of his team’s interior line, and twice he has mentioned Johnson in that discussion. The big man from Hartsville will be trying to step up and answer his coach’s questions today.

Defense

DB Phillip Adams (Sr., 6-1, 185, #9)

With Terrance Smith not participating in spring drills, the two-sport athlete has found himself isolated throughout the spring on the team’s quickest wide receivers. It’s been “hit or miss” during spring practice for the secondary in general, another area of concern coming off the playoff loss to Appalachian State.

DE Pat Washington (R-So., 5-10, 230, #53)

Heading into the first scrimmage of the spring, Pough called Washington the “bright spot of the spring.” But, Washington and teammate Zachary Middleton didn’t put together their best scrimmages against converted tight end Jonathan Saxon. Today, Washington looks to make good on Pough’s words and place himself firmly in the mix on the defensive line heading into next season.

DE Antwanne Kerr (R-Fr., 6-2, 230, #49)

Kerr made the move to defensive end from tight end just over a week ago, and according to Pough has shown signs of “being, really, really a possible guy there.” In Pough speak, that means Kerr could be good at defensive end. Today will be his fist chance to show as much in a game-like situation.

DT Devon Thompson, (R-Fr, 6-3, 275, #59)

The Bulldogs feel good about the abilities of defensive tackles Matt Key and Ronnell Ferguson, but behind the duo there appears to be little depth. S.C. State is looking for someone -- specifically Thompson -- to perhaps emerge today.

DB Erin Norwood, (R-So, 5-10, 175, #10)

The younger brother of USC’s Eric Norwood, the young defensive back has gone from being a walk-on to a guy who is competing for playing time in the SCSU secondary.

Special Teams

PK Blake Erickson (So., 5-10, 165, #35)/P Leigh Manley (R-So., 5-11, 175, #42)

Aside for PATs, the Bulldogs rarely utilized Erickson for field goals last season. This spring is an opportunity to determine Erickson’s range and expand his role. As for Manley, he has big cleats to fill in replacing punter Aaron Haire.

T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Read his blog, Following The Bulldogs, and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com. T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder contributed to this story.

You must be logged in to comment.