The South Carolina football team is poised to take off where it left off on March 13 as spring practice commences. The Gamecocks are looking to build on the momentum of a 11-win campaign in 2011 and a solid recruiting effort in early 2012.
Coach Steve Spurrier knows that he has a very deep and talented squad, but he does have some positions to fill. Also, like most, he needs his players to step up and not be satisfied from last season.
The goal for the coaching staff has been and will be a SEC championship. The Gamecocks learned a lot about themselves last season, and now you have to ask, will 2012 be their year?
Before that question gets answered, there are five storylines to watch for in spring practice and they are:
1. The Emergence of a Go-to Receiver
The Gamecocks have a tough task in searching for a receiver that will fill the void left behind from the departure of Alshon Jeffery. There are a host of likely suspects from Ace Sanders to Nick Jones, but who will answer the call?
The receiving corps is deep, but it needs one player to step up and be "Mr. Dependable." This spring should shine light on who that will be, so this is one area to watch especially given the fact the Gamecocks have a couple of solid recruits coming in this fall. The need is there, but who will fill it?
2. Who Will Be the Backup Quarterback?
Coach Steve Spurrier's offense is blessed to have the likes of Connor Shaw under center. The young man can execute what the coaches need, and he can manage the offense. As he proved in 2011, he is the right quarterback to keep the Gamecocks climbing to new heights as far as a program. But who will be his backup?
USC will likely see a battle emerge between Dylan Thompson and Tanner McEvoy when trying to answer that question. Which will outshine the other? Should be fun to watch.
3. Who Will Be the Fullback?
The South Carolina offense will be strong in 2012 with their star running back, Marcus Lattimore, coming back from a knee-injury. Yet in saying that, the Gamecocks have to find a fullback to block for him.
USC primarily relies on the 'zone-read' scheme so the fullback is not used on every down, but the Gamecocks do use that position from time to time.
Last year's fullback, Dalton Wilson, will not be returning to play football for South Carolina in 2012. The likely candidate to fill the need is Matt Coffee, yet do not be surprised if Brandon Wilds gets a look at the position due to the depth at running back.
4. Figuring out the Secondary
One of the primary defensive goals in the spring will be developing the young talent and determining which of them can be counted in 2012.
The safety slots seemed to be on lock with D.J. Swearinger at free safety and Brison Williams as boundary safety. Behind them are quality young men that fill the needed depth. The coaches hope that Williams can hold down the safety slot for the full season, as it will make the secondary extremely strong.
With Williams in the safety slot, this allows senior DeVonte Holloman to move to the spur position in an effort to replace the productive Antonio Allen. The staff knows what Holloman is capable of at safety and that they could move him back there if needed, but they’re hopeful his production at spur, combined with the young players’ production at safety, will be enough to keep Holloman playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
The other players who will work at spur are red-shirt freshman Marcquis Roberts and sophomore Sharrod Golightly.
Starting at the corners, you will have fifth-year senior Akeem Auguste, who will be limited this spring, and Victor Hampton.
Junior Jimmy Legree will receive most of the first-team reps due to Auguste being out. He’ll be backed up by red-shirt freshman Ahmad Christian, another player the coaches are excited about based on his play on the scout team.
Sophomore Victor Hampton will open spring drills as the first-team boundary cornerback, and he’ll be spelled by sophomore Cadarious Sanders.
If all of the above holds true and the players respond at a high level, the USC secondary has the potential to be one of the best in the nation in 2012.
5. How Good at the Lines Be?
The South Carolina Gamecocks are only as good as their line play allows. On both sides of the ball, winning the trench battles is extremely important for USC. Going into 2012, there is talk of how good the lines are and have become.
The offensive line has depth and big bodies that are ready to provide the muscle to get the offense in position for success.
On defense, the line must replace Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson, yet Kelcy Quarles, Philip Dukes and Deon Green stand ready to fill the void. When you match the talent of those three at defensive tackle with the two defensive ends, Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor, you could easily bear witness to the best defensive line in college football.
South Carolina’s No. 1 overall prospect has committed to UGA for a second time, and this time WR Tramel Terry said he’s sticking to it.
The 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Goose Creek (S.C.) High School picked the Bulldogs over South Carolina and Clemson, among his 20 scholarship offers. Terry is UGA’s best import from South Carolina since AJ Green.
(link)
Coach Steve Spurrier knows that he has a very deep and talented squad, but he does have some positions to fill. Also, like most, he needs his players to step up and not be satisfied from last season.
The goal for the coaching staff has been and will be a SEC championship. The Gamecocks learned a lot about themselves last season, and now you have to ask, will 2012 be their year?
Before that question gets answered, there are five storylines to watch for in spring practice and they are:
1. The Emergence of a Go-to Receiver
The Gamecocks have a tough task in searching for a receiver that will fill the void left behind from the departure of Alshon Jeffery. There are a host of likely suspects from Ace Sanders to Nick Jones, but who will answer the call?
The receiving corps is deep, but it needs one player to step up and be "Mr. Dependable." This spring should shine light on who that will be, so this is one area to watch especially given the fact the Gamecocks have a couple of solid recruits coming in this fall. The need is there, but who will fill it?
2. Who Will Be the Backup Quarterback?
Coach Steve Spurrier's offense is blessed to have the likes of Connor Shaw under center. The young man can execute what the coaches need, and he can manage the offense. As he proved in 2011, he is the right quarterback to keep the Gamecocks climbing to new heights as far as a program. But who will be his backup?
USC will likely see a battle emerge between Dylan Thompson and Tanner McEvoy when trying to answer that question. Which will outshine the other? Should be fun to watch.
3. Who Will Be the Fullback?
The South Carolina offense will be strong in 2012 with their star running back, Marcus Lattimore, coming back from a knee-injury. Yet in saying that, the Gamecocks have to find a fullback to block for him.
USC primarily relies on the 'zone-read' scheme so the fullback is not used on every down, but the Gamecocks do use that position from time to time.
Last year's fullback, Dalton Wilson, will not be returning to play football for South Carolina in 2012. The likely candidate to fill the need is Matt Coffee, yet do not be surprised if Brandon Wilds gets a look at the position due to the depth at running back.
4. Figuring out the Secondary
One of the primary defensive goals in the spring will be developing the young talent and determining which of them can be counted in 2012.
The safety slots seemed to be on lock with D.J. Swearinger at free safety and Brison Williams as boundary safety. Behind them are quality young men that fill the needed depth. The coaches hope that Williams can hold down the safety slot for the full season, as it will make the secondary extremely strong.
With Williams in the safety slot, this allows senior DeVonte Holloman to move to the spur position in an effort to replace the productive Antonio Allen. The staff knows what Holloman is capable of at safety and that they could move him back there if needed, but they’re hopeful his production at spur, combined with the young players’ production at safety, will be enough to keep Holloman playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
The other players who will work at spur are red-shirt freshman Marcquis Roberts and sophomore Sharrod Golightly.
Starting at the corners, you will have fifth-year senior Akeem Auguste, who will be limited this spring, and Victor Hampton.
Junior Jimmy Legree will receive most of the first-team reps due to Auguste being out. He’ll be backed up by red-shirt freshman Ahmad Christian, another player the coaches are excited about based on his play on the scout team.
Sophomore Victor Hampton will open spring drills as the first-team boundary cornerback, and he’ll be spelled by sophomore Cadarious Sanders.
If all of the above holds true and the players respond at a high level, the USC secondary has the potential to be one of the best in the nation in 2012.
5. How Good at the Lines Be?
The South Carolina Gamecocks are only as good as their line play allows. On both sides of the ball, winning the trench battles is extremely important for USC. Going into 2012, there is talk of how good the lines are and have become.
The offensive line has depth and big bodies that are ready to provide the muscle to get the offense in position for success.
On defense, the line must replace Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson, yet Kelcy Quarles, Philip Dukes and Deon Green stand ready to fill the void. When you match the talent of those three at defensive tackle with the two defensive ends, Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor, you could easily bear witness to the best defensive line in college football.
South Carolina’s No. 1 overall prospect has committed to UGA for a second time, and this time WR Tramel Terry said he’s sticking to it.
The 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Goose Creek (S.C.) High School picked the Bulldogs over South Carolina and Clemson, among his 20 scholarship offers. Terry is UGA’s best import from South Carolina since AJ Green.
(link)
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