Isaiah Johnson, a Kansas transfer, and former spur linebacker Jordan Diggs are now running with the first team at safety for South Carolina.

Safety was one of the worst positions on the Gamecocks struggling defense last season. Johnson was All-Big 12 at KU and Diggs is a former four-star safety prospect who slimmed down to move back from SPUR/linebacker. He had a knack for being around the ball last season when he did get a chance to play.

Here are other notes from Tuesday morning's practice...

-The football career of offensive lineman Brock Stadnik is over. He's going on medical hardship.

-Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper missed practice again, but head coach Steve Spurrier said that if the Gamecocks played tomorrow, Cooper would play. Two true freshman- Jalen Christian (who is talented enough to play this season) and Jared Washington are getting plenty of reps in his place.

-Spurrier said that quarterback Connor Mitch has had a good two days, but declined to say there was any separation.

--Co- defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said they want to travel 10 defensive linemen but they won't know who those will be until a week out.

--Ward said he doesn't know who he would redshirt right now. They all have a chance to get playing time.

--Linebackers coach Kirk Botkin said his group is bringing a lunchbox mentality to practice, working hard and trying to learn the defense.

--Botkin also noted that all of the young linebackers have a lot to learn. He said some of their minds are swimming a bit more than the older guys.

--Defensive tackle Abu Lamin said that he likes playing in this defensive scheme because everyone is always in attack mode. He is confident in himself because of the weight he has dropped.

--Nickel/SPUR T.J. Gurley said it's important for the defense to make a statement the first game and show that they are back to what they used to be.