South Carolina Football: 5 reasons why Gamecocks can win SEC East
3. Depth at skill positions
South Carolina has one of the best tandems in the backfield in sophomores Jake Bentley and Rico Dowdle. In seven starts, Bentley put up 1,420 yards, nine touchdowns and only four interceptions.
Bentley’s premiere back, Dowdle, had quite an impressive freshman season as well. He had 5.7 yards per carry on 133 carries and six rushing touchdowns. Dowdle will lead a stable of backs that include former Wisconsin Badger Caleb Kinlaw, former North Carolina Tar Heel Ty’Son Williams, and returning Gamecock A.J. Turner.
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But it does not stop here.
South Carolina also returns Hayden Hurst, one of Bentley’s favorite targets. The other “tight end” is K.C. Crosby, who is basically the Jimmy Graham mold of the position. He does more of his damage flexed out wide, while Hurst is the more traditional tight end.
At the wide receiver position, they have one of the best athletes in the conference in Deebo Samuel. Last year, Samuel had 783 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
The only question is if sophomore receiver Bryan Edwards play to his full potential. If he and Samuel can produce, the Gamecocks can have one of the better offenses in the East.