If the South Carolina football team is searching for an anchor this season, there’s no need to look any place other than the center position...
Senior T.J. Johnson has started all 40 games the past three seasons, and his presence for one more campaign makes offensive line coach Shawn Elliott feel better about his group as a whole.
“T.J. Johnson is so solid and experienced and a great leader,” Elliott said.
The 6-foot-6, 319-pound Johnson was named to the All-SEC second team in preseason voting, and — despite the loss of starters Rokevious Watkins, Terrence Campbell, and Kyle Nunn — he leads a line that returns plenty of other experience.
Sophomore left guard A.J. Cann started every game last season, and Elliott noted that he “knows that position inside and out.”
Sophomore right tackles Mike Matulis and Cody Gibson both received a handful of starts a year ago, which should make them better prepared for more significant playing time this season.
“Mike Matulis was (put into) trial by fire against Auburn and then started the last four games. He played extremely well,” Elliott said. “Cody Gibson took over the middle part of the season and did well. I expect him to be really strong.”
The Gamecocks averaged 30 points and 374 yards per game behind last season’s offensive line.
Elliott likes the look of this current group, as the Gamecocks hope to keep that momentum going into the season when official practice begins next week.
“We have a lot of athletic bodies that we’re going to put on the field this year,” Elliott said. “I’m excited. They’re big strong individuals. All of them can run. They have the ability to get out there and be as good as they want to be.”
The biggest hole to fill comes at left tackle, where All-SEC first-teamer Watkins will be missed. But redshirt freshman Brandon Shell, the 6-6, 331-pound great nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Art Shell, will get an opportunity.
“We’re going to see what he can do, but we’re anticipating him having a strong fall camp and being ready to go,” Elliott said.
Junior Ronald Patrick played in nine of 13 games at guard last season and appears to be poised to take over the starting spot on the right side.
“We’ll see if he can man that spot for us. He played a lot of meaningful snaps last year,” Elliott said. “He has the ability to go in there and play at a championship level.”
Elliott likes that the starters are being pushed by returnees and newcomers, including redshirt freshman Will Sport, senior Kaleb Broome, redshirt freshman Kyle Harris and freshman Cody Waldrop. The depth can make a difference over the course of a long season.
“We’ve got a lot of bodies. A few short years ago when I came in here, it looked like I was playing out there with five guys, and that’s all I had,” Elliott said. “Now I’ve got about 16 or 17 guys that I can roll in here. So I’m pretty pleased with that.”
