2009 South Carolina Preview

What a bizarre team. The 2008 Gamecocks led the nation in interceptions thrown and still made a January bowl game. That was no small part because of one of the better defenses in the country. USC lost 7 players to the NFL including much of the secondary and its two leading receivers, but will try to contend in the SEC East. The starting lineup, on both offense and defense, looks as talented on paper as anyone in the conference outside of Florida, but depth is a concern as untested freshmen and sophomores litter the 2nd team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: This position should be much more stable this season with Stephen Garcia as the unquestioned starter. In fact, he is the only quarterback on the roster who has ever taken a snap in a game. Garcia was up and down as a freshman last season while getting significant playing time in the latter portion of the season. He led the team to a 4th quarter comeback win at Kentucky, but threw 3 INTs in the Outback Bowl against Iowa and was benched at halftime. The Gamecocks are depending on Garcia to stay healthy, to play well, and they will likely go as far as he takes them. The primary backup is Reid McCollum, a redshirt freshman. Garcia played well in the spring game and was a surprise pick as the preseason 3rd team All-SEC QB. If he sucks or gets hurt then USC is in big trouble.

Runningback: In 2008, USC had virtually no running game. The now graduated Mike Davis was ineffective (while likely playing injured), and Spurrier did not trust the underclassmen to hold on to the ball. The 2009 running game should be much improved. Brian Maddox is the incumbent starter and is an in between the tackles type runner. A pair of freshmen, Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles, add a speed element that has been absent. Bryce Sherman, a walk-on from the track team, may get a chance as a returner as well as a few carries. Patrick DiMarco is the fullback.

O-Line: The offensive line has been miserable for Spurrier’s entire tenure at South Carolina. Spurrier brought in Eric Wolford from Illinois to coach the O-Line and to be the “running game coordinator.” The Cocks do have a couple of decent returning starters. The center, Garrett Anderson, was on the preseason Rimington List. The left tackle, Jarriel King, is developing into a solid SEC lineman. However, the other three spots are up for grabs. There are plenty of bodies: at least 15 offensive linemen are on scholarship. Wolford has some talent there, but it needs to be developed.

Receiver: The Gamecocks have an intriguing receiving core. Despite the departure of Kenny McKinley and Jared Cook, there are plenty of targets. Jason Barnes, Joe Hills, Tori Gurley, and Alshon Jeffery are all really, really tall. They should be able to come down with a lot of jump balls. Barnes and Moe Brown, the speedster of the group, are starters with experience. Weslye Saunders replaces Cook at tight end, but is plenty good and may lead the team in receptions.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: The front 7 for the Gamecocks is the strength of the team. The defensive ends, Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers, will make lives miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Ladi Ajiboye is one of the top defensive tackles in the conference, though unfortunately for USC he is suspended for the first 3 games after being arrested in the spring for possession of marijuana. Nathan Pepper is the other defensive tackle and is a senior who is entering his 3rd year as a starter. Travian Robertson is a veteran tackle who will get a lot of playing time filling in for Ajiboye and Pepper (who has a bad knee). However, after the starting 4 and Robertson, the rest of the depth at defensive line is made of untested freshmen and sophomores. Hopefully nobody gets hurt.

Linebacker: The other part of the strong front 7 for the Gamecocks. Eric Norwood decided to return for his senior year. He is an All-American candidate and the leader of the defense. Rodney Paulk is an experienced middle linebacker who could have a breakout season. Alonzo Winfield is a speedy player who is penciled in at the spur position. Darian Stewart was the spur for the Gamecocks last year and DC Ellis Johnson prefers to play him here, however, Stewart is currently at strong safety replacing the departed Emanuel Cook. If Johnson determines that one of the freshmen are capable of starting at SS, then Stewart will likely move back to the spur position that he dominated last year. A pair of JUCOs, Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson, along with Shaq Wilson are the backup linebackers.

Cornerback: This may be the biggest weakness of the 2009 Gamecocks. It is a talented group, but a very green unit, which could spell death in the SEC. Last year’s top 3 CBs, Captain Munnerlyn, Stoney Woodson, and Carlos Thomas all are in the NFL now. One of the new starters, Stephon Gilmore, is a true freshman. He was the top recruit this past year for USC, and has to start immediately. Gilmore was a high school QB and Spurrier has talked about using him in a Wildcat formation. He also may return punts. On the other side, Akeem Auguste and C.C. Whitlock are battling to start. Both were top recruits in the 08 class. Auguste played as a backup safety and played well last year. Whitlock played sparingly. All 3 of these guys will likely play a lot regardless of who starts. The primary backup is Addison Williams, who is experienced but has been burned frequently. D.J. Sweringer is another true freshman who will play.

Safety: The Cocks do have experience at safety with Stewart and Chris Culliver. Again, Stewart is currently listed as the starting strong safety but he may move to the spur linebacker position, depending on 2 talented true freshmen: Devonte Holloman and Demario Jeffery. If Johnson deems one of them ready to play, then they will start at strong safety. Chris Culliver, the fastest player on the team, will start at free safety, and is also the primary kick returner. His backup is Antonio Allen. USC is in good hands with this unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Culliver is the primary kick returner. He will be joined by Sherman, Auguste, or Gilmore. Auguste is likely to be the primary punt returner. The Gamecocks will miss kicker Ryan Succop, who is now kicking for the Kansas City Chiefs. Former walk-on Spencer Lanning was a solid punter last year and will now take over all kicking duties.

OUTLOOK

With a talented and young team, it’s hard to tell what USC will do this year. I’m not going to make any predictions other than to say they could win anywhere from 5 to 9 games. Having a bowl-eligible team for the school record 6th consecutive year is a good bet.

– Braves14

2008 South Carolina Gamecocks

Offense

Steve Spurrier’s offense has been caught up with by SEC defensive coordinators. The past 3 years, it has been a decent but unspectacular group. Spurrier is even giving some of the playcalling duties to his son, Steve Spurrier Jr., but he plans to oversee the offense and spend more time coaching the quarterbacks.

Quarterback

Tommy Beecher, a junior and long-time backup, was named the starting QB after having the best spring practice on the team. Accounts are that he has the best arm on the team and has decent mobility, and that he continued having good practices in the fall. He is extemely intelligent and has been in the system the longest out of the other quarterbacks, so he gives USC the best chance. Sophomore Chris Smelley was 4-2 as a starter last year and is a capable backup. The position is a question mark because of a lack of experience but the talent is there to do well.

Runningback

Mike Davis, an experienced senior, is the unquestioned starter. He is a solid if not flashy back. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but near the goal line he always finds a way to get into the end zone. He should move into the top 10 USC leaders in career rushing yardage after the season. Brian Maddox, a talented but untested sophomore is the primary backup.

Wide Receiver

Senior Kenny McKinley is a potential All-American, and has a shot at breaking a ton of records including career receptions (school and the SEC), career receiving yards, and career touchdown receptions. Speedy junior Moe Brown has always had trouble catching the ball in games but shows out in practice. He did play better at the end of the season, and could have a breakout 2008. Sophomore Dion LeCorn emerged as the #2 receiver at the end of last season but hasn’t done as well in the spring and fall as Brown. Freddie Brown, a junior, usually catches what gets to him but he has trouble running good routes and getting open. Jason Barnes, Joe Hills, and Matt Clements are all talented young players looking for some playing time as well.

Tight End

USC has potentially both of the best two receiving tight ends in the conference, junior Jared Cook and sophomore Wesyle Saunders. Cook is 6′5, 245 lbs, and can fly. He could enter the draft and be a 1st or 2nd round pick after the season. Saunders is a huge player–actually recruited as a DE–and is very fast for his size. If the WRs other than McKinley have trouble stepping up, Beecher can look to these guys for help.

Offensive Line

This is the biggest question mark on the team. They were the primary reason that the Gamecocks were dead last in the SEC in rushing yardage and that Gamecock quarterbacks had to hurry to get rid of the football. They could make or break the 2008 season. In 2007, only 2 lineman started all 12 games, and those 2 are returning senior tackles Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorenson. They were adequate at best last year. Heath Batchelor, a sophomore, emerged as the starting right tackle at the end of the season. The other spots appear to be a revolving door, although they seem to be improving in practice as some of the younger players are developing.

Defense

Ellis Johnson is the new defensive coordinator after coming over from Mississippi State. He inherits a very talented defense that could be one of the top groups in the conference. The key will be stopping the run, as this was one of the major reasons for the 5 game collapse at the end of last season. Johnson has been using a 4-2-5 defense to help counter the spread and plans to use it as his base defense.

Defensive Line

Sophomore Cliff Matthews, a very talented player, will start at defensive end. He played outside linebacker last year just so he could get on the field. He will likely have a breakout year. Jordin Lindsey will return from academic problems to start at the other side in his last year of eligibility. He is a solid but unspectacular player. At defensive tackle, Ladi Ajiboye won accolades as a freshman and will man one of the spots. Nathan Pepper returns from a knee injury to start at the other tackle position. This should be a pretty solid group.

Linebacker

This could be one of the top linebacker cores in the nation, if the players are not too heavy. There are two All-American candidates here: senior Jasper Brinkley and junior Eric Norwood. Brinkley is returning from a knee injury and Norwood is making a switch from DE. Both players weigh in the mid 260’s, so speed may be a bit of a concern. However, both players have a reputation for being all over the field, and with the new Spur position on defense, they may not need to worry about covering any receivers. Rodney Paulk, who had started 22 games in his first 2 years, and Gerrod Sinclair are more than capable reserves.

Spur

This is the new position that is being used in the 4-2-5 defense. It is a sort of hybrid LB/S role. Junior Darian Stewart, last year’s starting FS, is pencilled in here. Stewart is a good tackler and a solid cover player. He will be backed up by former WR Larry Freeman and true freshman Antonio Allen.

Cornerback

The Gamecocks’ defensive secondary was one of the top rated groups in the country in 2007, and has everyone returning. Captain Munnerlyn, one of the top CBs in the SEC, returns to shut down one half of the field. Seniors Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson are both solid players and will split time playing the other corner position and the nickel. Sophomore Addison Williams and true freshman Akeem Auguste are talented young players who provide depth.

Free Safety

Chris Culliver, the fastest player on the team, was recently named the starter here. The sophomore was ranked 3rd in average kickoff return yardage in the SEC last year, and all accounts are that he can hit. Backing up the former 5 star recruit will be redshirt freshman Mark Barnes, a talented player in his own right.

Strong Safety

Junior Emanuel Cook terrorizes any receiver coming across the middle. He can put a nasty hit on anyone. With the Gamecocks’ struggles stopping the run last year, he was the leading tackler on the team in 2007. Cook may be the top SS in the conference. He will be backed up by junior Chris Hail.

Special Teams

After several blocked punts at the end of the season and continued problems with coverage, Spurrier brought in coach Ray Richleski from Maryland. Maryland traditionally had one of the top ST units in the country. Richleski stresses playing assignments. He will get lots of help from senior placekicker Ryan Succop, a kicker with a strong leg who is a Groza candidate. Culliver will be the primary kick returner and Munnerlyn is the primary punt returner. Bad field position has been a big problem for USC over the years, and look for better starting field position this year.

Outlook

I’m not going to make any predictions here, but instead I will list sure wins, probable wins, toss-ups, and probable losses in this year’s schedule. 8-4 would be a realistic record for the year.

Sure Wins
Wofford
UAB

Probable Wins
NC State
Vanderbilt
Ole Miss
Kentucky
Arkansas

Toss-ups
Tennessee
Clemson

Probable Losses
Georgia
LSU
Florida

-Braves14

2007 South Carolina Gamecocks preview

Steve Spurrier enters his third year as the coach at USC. He has said the team’s goal this year is no longer to have a winning record and to make a bowl game. The goal now is to win the SEC.

Offense

Senior QB Blake Mitchell is once again penciled in as the starter. Mitchell started off last year mediocre with the OL like swiss cheese and was benched for the mobile Syvelle Newton. Mitchell returned after halftime against Arkansas on a mission, throwing 10 touchdowns in the team’s final 18 quarters. Mitchell is an experienced accurate passer. He does not have a cannon, but can make all the necessary throws. He will be backed up by redshirt freshman Chris Smelley and sophomore Tommy Beecher. Star recruit Stephen Garcia may also get a look as a backup.

 

At running back, senior Cory Boyd is the star of the offense with Sidney Rice now in the NFL. Boyd gained over 1,200 all-purpose yards last year and figures to be one of the top running backs in the conference. Mike Davis, another established runner, also will get lots of carries as a junior. Scat back Bobby Wallace could get an occasional carry as a change of pace.

 

The offensive line is replacing three interior starters, but looks to be in better shape than it was at this time last year. Jamon Meredith is an all-SEC candidate at left tackle. Justin Sorensen is an established SEC lineman at right tackle. William Brown, a senior, has experience and will start at center. Left guard and right guard will be covered by either sophomore Garrett Anderson, senior James Thompson, former defensive tackle Lemuel Jean-Pierre, or redshirt freshman Kevin Young. Andy Boyd was 2^nd team all-SEC at TE last year and is an excellent blocker.

 

At WR, junior Kenny McKinley returns as the leader of the core. He had over 50 receptions and 800 yards as a sophomore. He will be depended on to make key receptions now with the loss of Rice. Spurrier compared sophomore Jared Cook to Calvin Johnson during the spring with his size and speed, but Cook needs to work on his route running and hands to become a dependable receiver. Possession receiver Freddie Brown and speedster Moe Brown will also get plenty of looks. Highly regarded freshmen Chris Culliver, Jason Barnes, and Dion LeCorn will get opportunities as well.

Overall, the offense looks to be in good shape, and with Spurrier in charge it could be hard to stop.

 

Defense

 

The defense is led by MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-American candidate. Tyrone Nix enters his 3^rd year as the defensive coordinator with what could be a very stingy Gamecock defense.

 

The front seven looks as good as it ever has in Gamecock history. On the defensive line, star freshmen Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson, and Cliff Matthews have been deemed unblockable by Spurrier during practice. Last year Eric Norwood was named a Freshman All-American and was the team leader in sacks last year with 7. Jordin Lindsey, Nathan Pepper, Marque Hall, and Joel Reaves are also established SEC defensive linemen.

 

At linebacker, Jasper Brinkley may be the top MLB in the country, and returns for his senior season. His twin brother Casper Brinkley had a solid season last year and will be moved from the defensive line to linebacker because of the depth. Freshman All-SEC Rodney Paulk will return as well. Dustin Lindsey, Marvin Sapp, and Cody Wells will all return to make up the two-deep at LB.

 

Captain Munnerlyn and Carlos Thomas are penciled in as the starters at cornerback. Munnerlyn made a positive impact as a freshman. Thomas struggled after being moved from offense last year but was improved towards the end of the year. Stoney Woodson, a junior, will be the nickelback. Emanuel Cook, another Freshman All-SEC player, is the starting strong safety. Brandon Isaac returns from a medical redshirt year to start his final year at free safety, and should be solid. Chris Hampton, Darian Stewart, and blue chip recruit Mark Barnes will back up at safety.

 

Special Teams

 

 

New special teams coach Shane Beamer (Frank’s son) will try to help the return game and blocking improve. There was a lot of practicing on blocking kicks in the spring, so some Beamer ball in the fall might be fun.

 

The return game was an area of concern last year. It did look better late in the year when Munnerlyn became the primary kickoff returner. 5 star freshman Chris Culliver will get opportunities to return as well. McKinley has been the primary punt returner the last two years, but with his increased responsibility at receiver someone else may get a look.

Ryan Succop returns as the all-purpose kicker. He was a Lou Groza semi-finalist last year, hitting 16 of 20 FGs with a long of 55. He is one of the best in the country, and is a weapon in a close game.

 

Outlook

 

Carolina has the #2 most difficult schedule in the country this year, with away games at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Florida and arch-rival Clemson also travel to Columbia for games. Most experts are picking USC 4^th in the East behind Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.

The key game, as usual, is the 2^nd game of the year at Georgia. If USC can escape Athens with a victory, it may catapult them to being a legitimate contender. However, the team is probably a year away with the tough schedule. 9 wins would be a fair prediction and a good year.