South Carolina Football: What We Know
October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) rushes against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Over the next few weeks, we will start taking a look at the SEC teams and discuss the apparent strengths and weaknesses of them as the 2013 season nears.
The idea is to identify what we “know” – as much as we can “know” anything about a season that has yet to start. We will also examine what we think we know, what we don’t know and when we might have answers to the biggest questions.
South Carolina Gamecocks
What We Know
South Carolina is home to the most feared, dominant defensive player in the nation – Let any argument to the contrary fall on deaf ears. DE Jadeveon Clowney has terrorized SEC quarterbacks for two seasons. Tomorrow we start to find out if the near-certain No. 1 pick saved his best for last. Stats can’t tell the entire story of Clowney’s impact on a game. Yes, they are impressive. He posted 13 sacks and 21.5 TFLs last year with a couple forced fumbles – in addition to the play of the season. As a true freshman he had eight sacks, 12 TFLs and five forced fumbles. But there is any number of linebackers capable of recording similar statistics while racking up more than 50 tackles. Not even the quarterback hurry statistic tells the story. Quarterbacks hurry just about every time Clowney lines up across the ball. Clowney transcends college football. How many defensive linemen can you remember drawing full profiles in The New York Times before the season begins? Few teams will attempt to single-block Clowney in 2013. Those who do will pay more often than not, though some teams – such as Tennessee – did a good job in that task for almost the entire game last season. Of course, Clowney ended that contest with a blindside sack resulting in a fumble and Gamecocks recovery. Clowney’s legend allows his teammates along the defensive line to receive less attention – and turn in better production. DT Kelcy Quarles and DE Chaz Sutton seem the most likely players to benefit from their superstar teammate.
The Gamecocks can produce on the ground without RB Marcus Lattimore – After being without Lattimore for the better part of two seasons, coach Steve Spurrier has grown accustomed to asking the next man up for more production. This year the former backups will simply be asked to do more from the start. RBs Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds have already proven – during Lattimore’s absences – capable. Davis officially won the position during August camp, but it seems like a lock that Wilds and Shon Carson will also get plenty of chances. Whoever gets the ball will run behind four returning starters from last year’s offensive line. It certainly doesn’t hurt that QB Connor Shaw is an experienced, crafty player capable of picking up third-down conversions with his arm and legs. Even after Lattimore suffered his season-ending knee injury, the Gamecocks rushed for at least 100 yards in each of their final four regular-season games. One-hundred yards isn’t much, but it at least keeps opposing defenses honest. Without dominant receivers, the run game must do that at a minimum. That won’t be a problem in 2013.
Spurrier has two valid options at QB in Shaw and Dylan Thompson – Shaw, who is the starter, is one of those players fans swear have been on campus on the Van Wilder plan – going to school for the better part of a decade. He is a proven winner, even battling through injuries last year to help the Gamecocks to an 11-2 record while still posting good stats. Shaw missed spring practice with foot surgery, which could be somewhat concerning considering his legs are part of what makes him so valuable. It seems that Shaw is back to full strength, though. When called upon, Thompson did plenty to earn Spurrier’s trust. In two starts – against East Carolina and at Clemson – Thompson combined to completed 44 of 78 passes for 640 yards, 6 TDs and 1 INT. He also threw two TDs, including the game-winner in the final seconds, in South Carolina’s Outback Bowl victory over Michigan. There isn’t a quarterback controversy in Columbia. Even if there was, Spurrier couldn’t lose.
What We Think We Know
South Carolina has some experienced talent in the secondary – That said, replacing S D.J. Swearinger won’t be easy. DC Lorenzo Ward should rest easy knowing he has someone like CB Victor Hampton defending the top receivers in the league. Hampton didn’t get any preseason all-SEC love, but make no mistake – he can and should make a big impact this season. S Brison Williams will be called upon to take on a greater leadership role, especially while Ward tries to choose between Ss T.J. Gurley and Kadetrix Marcus – a battle that might linger. CB Jimmy Legree was a starter for the Gamecocks last year and will be asked to help the secondary produce more turnovers this season. There aren’t any headliners on this group. There’s nobody in the secondary quarterbacks will make sure they locate when dropping back to pass. However, with the pressure Clowney and company can generate upfront, there should be myriad opportunities for the secondary to produce game-changing plays.
What We Don’t Know
Beyond WR Bruce Ellington, who’s prepared to emerge as a receiving threat? – Injuries have hit the Gamecocks hard during August camp. Ellington missed most of the practices with a hamstring injury. He seems ready to go since he returned to practice, but it’s hard to believe he and Shaw are in perfect harmony at this point. One of the top receiving options – TE Rory Anderson – was selected second-team all-SEC but has also been held out of practices, as has backup TE Jerell Adams. Last year’s leading receiver, Ace Sanders, is gone and that will be a tough void to fill. Not only was Sanders one of the most consistent receiving threats, he was a game-breaker in the return game. A younger crop of receivers will get their chances this season. Perhaps none is more important than WR Shaq Roland – a huge recruit in 2012. Damiere Byrd, Nick Jones and Shamier Jeffery – brother of former South Carolina great Alshon Jeffery – make up the receiving corps likely to play a big role early in the season. Knowing Spurrier, his receivers will have plenty of opportunities to make their mark. When Will We Know? As early as tomorrow night when South Carolina hosts North Carolina.
How quickly will the new linebackers catch on? – No unit was hit as hard for the Gamecocks as the linebacker position. South Carolina lost both starters, including Shaq Wilson. These players will have the benefit of what should be a dominant defensive line in front of them, but still need to prove they belong in the middle of what should otherwise be an elite defense. LB Kaiwan Lewis will get the start in the middle. He has talked openly about taking on a leadership position within the defense despite having never manned the position regularly in the past. Marquis Roberts is the other projected starter, thanks in part to an elbow injury suffered by Cedrick Cooper. Since the Gamecocks play a 4-2-5, the other spot isn’t manned by a true linebacker but more of a hybrid. Sharrod Golightly will get the first start at the Spur position. The defensive line can mask a lot of mistakes, but with a daunting early season schedule, South Carolina needs Lewis and Roberts to get up to speed quickly. When Will We Know? All of South Carolina’s questions will be answered during the Week 2 confrontation with Georgia.