Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

College football: Conway's Johnson in danger of losing redshirt

Conway native Erskine Johnson has had a limited impact on S.C. State's campaign so far, but that could change at any moment.

Despite not playing the entire season, Johnson, a true freshman offensive lineman, is the Bulldogs' second-string option at both guard positions, meaning his redshirt could be pulled at any moment if the nation's No. 9-ranked FCS team needs him badly enough.

"They're trying not to use me unless they really need to pull my redshirt," Johnson said. "So far they haven't."

The Bulldogs only have two games remaining in the regular season, and most programs wouldn't waste an entire redshirt season for a couple games. However, the Bulldogs (8-1) are eyeing a run in the FCS playoffs, meaning Johnson's services may be needed before the season is over if injuries strike.

Johnson nearly shed his redshirt in October, when one of the team's starting guards was injured against South Carolina. However, that player was able to return days before the team's trip to Norfolk State, keeping Johnson on the sidelines.

"I could see that I was going to get playing time, but it probably wasn't going to be enough for me to be that happy," said Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 275-pounder. "That's why I think the redshirt was pretty good. I would have probably only played in three or four games."

Johnson said the transition to college has been eased by his familiarity with the offense. The Bulldogs run a zone-blocking scheme similar to the one utilized by Conway during his prep career.

Down to three

Former Myrtle Beach standout Eddie Jones said Tuesday that he has essentially narrowed his list of suitors to three: Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern and South Carolina.

Of the three, only Coastal has already offered a scholarship, though Jones expects Georgia Southern to follow suit within the next week. The Gamecocks, who showed interest in the 5-foot-7, 160-pound dynamo out of high school, have not told Jones an offer may be forthcoming, though he has stayed in contact with assistant coach Steve Spurrier Jr.

The Chanticleers made their offer in October, and he has said their willingness to make him a priority left an impression. At Georgia Southern, Jones would be reunited with former prep teammate Jamere Valentine, who is leading the Eagles in receiving as a true freshman.

Jones, who once rushed for, caught and threw a touchdown in the same quarter, would likely play receiver in college, though he has the versatility to make plays from many different positions. Jones redshirted last season in junior college, returned home this semester to finish his associate's degree at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and has four years of eligibility remaining.

Seeing red

Presbyterian considered removing the redshirt of true freshman tailback Seth Moreland, a Conway native, over the past couple of weeks, but ultimately decided it wasn't worth it.

The Blue Hose had planned to play Moreland this season, but he was eventually tagged with a redshirt after not playing in the team's first few games.

They discussed playing him in the team's stretch run, but coach Harold Nichols said Tuesday that the program's long-term vision won out over the impact Moreland could make right now.

"He's traveled and been in the mix all year," Nichols said. "He's going to be a very good back here for us for a long time. ... Being the ninth game or 10th game of the year, you hate to burn a year on a kid for a couple of games. We're going to try not to do that for that kid's best interests. He's got a tremendous future here for us. I'm so glad we were able to recruit him to come play running back for us."

To view Hoke's CCU sports blog, "The Roost," go to Thesunnews.com.