South Carolina Gamecocks- Quick Look from ESPN
The following article was written by Chris Low with ESPN.
Today, we take a look at what should be the strongest and weakest positions for South Carolina entering the 2010 season:
Strongest position: Defensive line
Key returnees: Cliff Matthews, Devin Taylor, Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson, Melvin Ingram, Kenny Davis
Key departures: Clifton Geathers, Nathan Pepper
The skinny: The only potential concern here is depth. Otherwise, it should be as good of a group of defensive linemen that South Carolina has put on the field in a long time. Several are rehabilitating from injuries/surgeries this spring, but are expected back in the fall. If younger players such as redshirt freshman defensive end Chaz Sutton come through, the Gamecocks will boast one of the top defensive lines in the league.
It all starts with Matthews, who tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season and also forced three fumbles. He returns as one of the most complete defensive ends in the SEC and plays the run as well as he rushes the passer. Robertson was hurt for much of last season, but has a huge upside. It’s important that Ajiboye stay healthy, which is the reason the Gamecocks are being careful with him this spring.
Weakest position: Offensive line
Key returnees: Jarriel King, T.J. Johnson, Terrence Campbell, Kyle Nunn, Garrett Chisolm, Hutch Eckerson
Key departures: Garrett Anderson, Lemuel Jeanpierre
The skinny: Shawn Elliott is the Gamecocks’ third different offensive line coach in three years, which tells you a little something about where this group is. All of South Carolina’s problems running the ball under Steve Spurrier can’t be placed on the guys up front, but there’s no debating that the offensive line has been the weak link the past few seasons.
A year ago, South Carolina gave up 37 sacks, which tied LSU for the most in the league. Even Spurrier has said Elliott has a big job on his hands. Fortunately, there is some experience coming back, and it looks like King has re-established himself as the starter at left tackle after struggling with injuries at the end of last season. Johnson has moved to center after starting all 13 games at guard last season.
It’s never as cut and dry as it seems in the SEC. But if the Gamecocks can improve significantly on the offensive line and play more consistently, they have enough talent everywhere else to make a legitimate run at the East crown in 2010.
SEC Sports Report is sponsored by Talking SEC Football with Jay Holgate.
More from South Carolina Gamecocks
Below are the number of verbal commits through July 31, 2011 for the 2012 signing class:
1) South Carolina Gamecocks 18
2) Florida Gators 15
3) Kentucky Wildcats 13
4) Georgia Bulldogs 12
5) Vanderbilt Commodores 12
6) Tennessee Volunteers 12
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ESPN
GEORGIA
Isaiah Crowell, RB: He arrives in Athens with a ton of hype. Georgia has yet to find its feature back and Crowell has all the talent to be that player. Some think he could start by the midpoint of the season. He was the nation’s top running back and in 2010 he rushed for 1,721 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Malcolm Mitchell, WR: Mitchell played both sides of the ball in high school, but Georgia’s staff really likes what he could do at receiver. He’s a tremendous athlete and will get a chance to earn playing time for the fall, especially with some unproven receivers already on Georgia’s roster.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Jadeveon Clowney, DE: Clowney will enter preseason camp with a mound of expectations. He was the country’s top high school player last year, and even though there is a lot of talent on South Carolina’s defensive line, it will be hard to keep him off the field with his freakish ability. He recorded 162 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, six recovered fumbles and scored five touchdowns last fall.
SEC SPORTS.COM--South Carolina scored three times in the top of the first and never looked back as they handed top-ranked Virginia a 7-1 setback Tuesday night in a winner's bracket game at the 2011 College World Series.
Our sources indicate that Victor Hampton has been reinstated to the South Carolina football team. Hampton was dismissed from the team last week for violating team rules.
Hampton will be the back up to cornerback Stephon Gilmore. All the information available at this time.
ESPN- Here's how the ESPN staff ranks the SEC defensive lines:
1) South Carolina
2) Arkansas
3) LSU
4) Florida
5) Alabama
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Comments
1 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
I agree with this article. The Gamecocks have the talent to make a legit run for the SEC East. The Gamecock defense should be as good, if not better as last years. Garcia is improving some and I'm hoping the pressure from back up Connor Shaw is going to push him to be the best QB he can be. Latimore will definately beef up the running game and the other rb's miles, maddox, and giles give us good depth. The vast array of talented receivers (Jeffrey, Gurley, Moore, and LeCorn) and tight ends give whoever is in the QB slot a lot of options. I'm hoping this season will be a turning point for the boys in Columbia, but only time will tell. GO COCKS!
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