Four South Carolina players have opted out since Will Muschamp's firing
In less than three full days since South Carolina relieved Will Muschamp of his duties, four Gamecocks have already left the team.
Those players include both starting cornerbacks -- Israel Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn -- plus safety/linebacker RJ Roderick and defensive tackle Makius Scott.
Neither Roderick nor Scott were listed on South Carolina's two-deep for last Saturday's Ole Miss game, but Roderick's 23 tackles rank sixth on the team.
Obviously, losing four defensive players and both starting corners is not going to improve a defense that has allowed 53 points per game amid South Carolina's ongoing 3-game losing streak. Losing any player, let alone four, is a crushing blow to South Carolina's defensive depth in a year where depth is a luxury amid the ongoing threat of protocol-mandated quarantines in addition to the usual wear and tear of a football season.
Moving forward, the opt-outs could have a chilling effect on any other programs thinking of making in-season coaching changes.
South Carolina has three games left in its regular season, beginning Saturday with Missouri.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
