POSTED ON MARCH 26, 2019
by THESPURSUPSHOW
Which position units are the Gamecocks biggest concerns heading into the 2019 season?
There’s plenty of reason for optimism for next year’s football team, one that should be the best of the Muschamp era. There’s also reason for some doubt, mainly three key position groups which lack talent and/or experience going into next season. The development of these groups could be the difference between another mediocre season and one in which the Gamecocks break out.
Running Back
Linebacker is another position Carolina has struggled with for years, and it was never more evident than last season.
Florida and Clemson are two games that stick out where they didn’t play well and it wasn’s hard to see. Returning will be T.J. Brunson, Eldridge Thompson, Sherrod Greene, Rosendo Louis Jr., and Ernest Jones.
Brunson is good against the run and led the team in tackles last season, but all of these players struggle in coverage. They left the middle of the field wide open, which hurt the rest of the defense too. Improving in coverage will be critical to success on defense next year.
Joining them to try and fix this as freshmen will be Derek Boykins and Jahmar Brown. Boykins has a good chance to see the field early.
This position group is the biggest weak point on the team next season and they will need to drastically improve in order for Carolina to have the defense they need to compete with the upper-tier teams on the schedule
Conclusion
The running backs playing well can change the entire offense because it sets up play action and easier throws for Jake Bentley. Drops by receivers also need to be limited and not cost us games. Linebackers covering the field well will help the rest of the defense. These improvements affect the rest of the team, which is why it’s so important they are made.
To have a successful season, these three position groups will need to continue to develop and play consistently well. Going forward, they should also be fixed in recruiting, with some big 2020 targets playing these positions.
Improvement in these areas could be the difference between going 6-6 or 9-3 in 2019.
by THESPURSUPSHOW
Which position units are the Gamecocks biggest concerns heading into the 2019 season?
There’s plenty of reason for optimism for next year’s football team, one that should be the best of the Muschamp era. There’s also reason for some doubt, mainly three key position groups which lack talent and/or experience going into next season. The development of these groups could be the difference between another mediocre season and one in which the Gamecocks break out.
Running Back
Linebacker is another position Carolina has struggled with for years, and it was never more evident than last season.
Florida and Clemson are two games that stick out where they didn’t play well and it wasn’s hard to see. Returning will be T.J. Brunson, Eldridge Thompson, Sherrod Greene, Rosendo Louis Jr., and Ernest Jones.
Brunson is good against the run and led the team in tackles last season, but all of these players struggle in coverage. They left the middle of the field wide open, which hurt the rest of the defense too. Improving in coverage will be critical to success on defense next year.
Joining them to try and fix this as freshmen will be Derek Boykins and Jahmar Brown. Boykins has a good chance to see the field early.
This position group is the biggest weak point on the team next season and they will need to drastically improve in order for Carolina to have the defense they need to compete with the upper-tier teams on the schedule
Conclusion
The running backs playing well can change the entire offense because it sets up play action and easier throws for Jake Bentley. Drops by receivers also need to be limited and not cost us games. Linebackers covering the field well will help the rest of the defense. These improvements affect the rest of the team, which is why it’s so important they are made.
To have a successful season, these three position groups will need to continue to develop and play consistently well. Going forward, they should also be fixed in recruiting, with some big 2020 targets playing these positions.
Improvement in these areas could be the difference between going 6-6 or 9-3 in 2019.
