Eddie gran failings8/13/2023 His dad, David Irons Sr., called a handful of schools (such as Texas A&M) in apparent need of a tailback. "I guess he thought I wanted to be a Dawg," Irons said of Georgia, his home state college. When Irons decided to transfer, Holtz said he would grant Irons a scholarship release waiver to any school the Gamecocks didn't play on a yearly basis. The school dismissed Summers last spring for failing two drug tests, while Boyd has been suspended for the season for similar reasons, leaving Turman - an undersized fullback - and two freshmen as Spurrier's best options. Irons' irony is, had he stuck around at USC, he'd likely be starting against Auburn this weekend. "I just wanted to move on with my life," Irons said. Irons declined and said Holtz accepted his decision. In a post-season meeting, Holtz tried to persuade Irons to stick around through spring practice because of changes he planned to make with the offense, including removing his son, Skip, from his coordinator role. Irons publicly toed the company line the remainder of the season, only to net a single carry the final six games.īut he felt mentally and physically drained and lost 35 pounds during the ordeal. You hear him comment out of the blue, 'I don't care if (Summers) is able to block.' That kind of gets to you." "But Coach (Holtz) was so impressed with his performance it kind of blew me away. "Then Demetris came along," Irons said Monday, adding with a laugh. Irons refuted the story the next week, although his father later wouldn't deny it. Summers proceeded to amass 161 yards and three touchdowns in what would be the most productive game of his career.Īnd when Irons was asked to enter the game during mop-up time of the 42-10 romp, he allegedly refused to go in, citing a hip injury. Holtz inevitably handed the reins to his prized prospect in the fourth game against Alabama-Birmingham. He didn't think it was going to be like that for the whole season."Īfter gaining just 26 yards on 11 carries as the primary back against Louisiana-Lafayette, Irons received seven more carries through the next two games as Summers, fellow freshman Cory Boyd and sophomore Daccus Turman all climbed ahead on the depth chart. "Kenny said they promised (Summers) on a recruiting visit that they were going to give Demetris the first carry," David told the Associated Press recently. Irons' likelihood of becoming the team's featured back went up in signing day smoke. That spring, USC signed two running backs, including heralded local blue-chipper Demetris Summers, regarded as perhaps the team's second coming of former Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. ![]() So, Irons said, he spent the offseason working on the cut-blocking techniques the coaching staff said he needed to improve to earn playing time. "So I'm like, what more did you want?"Īs a freshman in 2002, Irons was a shifty change-of-pace to bulky senior Andrew Pinnock but was used sporadically because coach Lou Holtz openly questioned his ability to block and protect the passer against blitzes. "I'm starting here and felt I had the same ability to start at South Carolina," he said. ![]() What transpired to initiate the move, not to mention the principle characters, are both history.īut they're also the context for why Irons can't wait to compete against the program he clearly felt betrayed him. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound Dacula, Ga., native - once considered USC's tailback of the future - left the program after the 2003 season, transferring to Auburn to be reunited with his brother, David Jr., a starting senior cornerback. game, Irons wasn't afraid to discuss them in tones comedic, rational, jealous and critical. If there's one thing USC fans would remember about Irons - oh, such as the time he refused to enter a blowout, thus igniting his rift with the coaching staff - it should be that he wears his feelings on his sleeve.Īnd even with the Gamecocks coming to town for Saturday's 7 p.m. "You want my true feelings?" Irons asked. Once Irons reestablished contact on a teleconference with South Carolina beat reporters Monday, Auburn's junior starting tailback was again asked to open with his opinion on facing his previous team. Kenny Irons stuttered through a few words before his phone errantly disconnected. The game will be televised throughout the state of South Carolina on a pay-per-view basis. South Carolina's game against Kentucky, set for Saturday, Oct. Saturday, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
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