The first spring practice of the Will Muschamp era at South Carolina is underway, which means the stage is set for players to separate themselves in various position battles before the Garnet & Black Spring Game on April 9.

With a new coaching staff in place, the tension is higher than normal. After all, this will be the first time most of these coaches have seen anyone on the roster practice live.

There’s drama across the board, and on the back of a 3-9 season, there’s quite a bit of playing time up for grabs for newcomers and veterans alike.

Here are five players to watch over the next few weeks:

5. BRYAN EDWARDS, WR

The first question about Edwards that needs answering concerns his health. The four-star recruit out of Conway, S.C., suffered a knee injury in October but enrolled early and should be able to participate in some degree during spring drills.

He has the size (6-3, 208) and speed (when healthy) to help fill the void at wide receiver left by the early departure of Pharoh Cooper, but coaches and fans alike will be eager to see how far he’s come in his recovery.

He was listed as a starter on Muschamp’s first spring depth chart.

4. DARIUS ENGLISH, OLB

English had 28 tackles and led the Gamecocks with 4.5 sacks last season, but the undersized defensive end (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) will spend his senior season as a tall outside linebacker.

He was listed as a starter at “Buck,” which is a hybrid position.

Muschamp, and his defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson, will likely use the spring to assess the personnel before deciding to line up in a 4-3, a 3-4 or some combination later this fall.

3. KEIR THOMAS, DE

The Miami native committed to the Gamecocks on Christmas Eve, and enrolled early so he could get a jump on earning some playing time as a true freshman.

Thomas is one of the reasons English is moving to linebacker. He projects as a “Buck” in Muschamp’s system, which means he can line up at defensive end or outside linebacker depending on the formation.

He was listed as a backup at defensive end on the first depth chart.

With eight newcomers (by the time preseason camp arrives) on the defensive line, the coaching staff identified a need to get after opposing passers as a priority. Thomas will get an early chance to stand out in what is a crowded position.

2. HAYDEN HURST, TE

Hurst spent the first three weeks at tight end last fall, but eventually hauled in eight passes for 106 yards as a 22-year-old freshman walk-on at wide receiver. But at 6-foot-5 and around 250 pounds, his body type suggests that the first idea may have been the right one.

He’s moving back to tight end this spring, where the loss of Jerell Adams leaves a starting spot up for grabs. Hurst is athletic, thanks to a background playing professional baseball.

Coaches will want to see him block, however, and that skill might be a big factor in who ends up winning the job.

1. BRANDON MCILWAIN, QB

Was there any doubt which player would headline this list? As of Monday, he was still looking for his first hit as a Gamecock baseball player, but fans will be much more interested in how McIlwain fares on the football practice field.

He’s one of five quarterbacks competing for the starting job, and on paper, the four-star recruit from Newtown, Pa., has the arm strength and agility to be an ideal fit for Kurt Roper’s offense.

Two reporters covering the Gamecocks told Saturday Down South last week that they see McIlwain as a favorite to win the quarterback battle, and today, we’ll begin to see if the freshman can live up to the buzz that’s already following him.