Spring Preview Part 1: South Carolina
College basketball is in high gear. Conference tournaments are getting underway, while some have already punched their ticket for the big dance (that ironically ends in April...go figure). Spring training is underway for the majors, and even NASCAR is hitting into high gear, pardon the pun.
But the football fields are not silenced. Spring practices are either already starting, are getting ready to do so.
Today, I'll take a look at both USC and Clemson; what both schools have coming back, what was lost, and what needs to be improved. Plus, I'll give my things to watch for. Today, I'll focus on USC.
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The Gamecocks come limping into the spring after a 6-6 season that can be seen as nothing more than a let down. USC signed a descent class, but it pails in comparison to the 2007 class. A few of the signees enrolled early (DBs Akeem Auguste, Antonio Allan, Jay Spearman, RB Eric Baker, LB Shaq Wilson, ATH C.C. Whitlock).
USC is returning a good bit of players from last years two-deep, and will get a few back that were injured for a majority of the 07' campaign.
At QB, Blake Mitchell has graduated, but Sophomore Chris Smelley (who started the majority of the early season), Junior Tommy Beecher, and RS Freshman Stephen Garcia look to make an interesting race. Smelley looks to be the favorite with experience, but Spurrier has stated that he was going to "tweak" the offense, which may play into Garcia's favor.
At RB, the Gamecocks lose what was their emotion last year in Cory Boyd. Senior Mike Davis is in the doghouse with Spurrier and fans, which opens the door for Sophomore Brian Maddox, Baker, and Junior Bobby Wallace. They also lost solid fullback Lanard Stafford, but he looks to be replaced by Sophomore Pat Dimarco.
WR lost no one, returning Kenny McKinley and Dion Lecorn. Both may be out for the spring, which will open the door for guys like Joe Hills, Jason Barnes, Mark Barnes, Larry Freeman, Moe Brown, Freddie Brown, Matt Clements, Chris Culliver, and Whitlock. The TE lost a great blocker in Andy Boyd, but return Jared Cook and Wesley Saunders, and add former linebacker Dustin Lindsey, and former fullback Clark Gaston.
The offensive line, which has been criticized ever since Spurrier arrived, loses C Web Brown and OG James Thompson. The current starters are penciled in, and one can assume that it will be a wide open race, especially at left tackle, where Jamon Meredith is suspended to start the season. Garrett Anderson looks to be the heir apparant at center, but may feel heat from Ryan Broadhead. The right tackle is barely in the confines of mammoth Justin Sorenson, but he will have to stop up to hold off guys like Hutch Eckerson and Kyle Nunn. The guards will again be wide-open, with Heath Batchelor and Gurminder Thind filling the spot. Look for the hot battle to be at these two positions with Seaver Brown, Lemuel Jeanpierre, and maybe even Terrence Campbell giving the most heat.
On defense, no one was really lost that was seen as a big contributor. On the line, everyone returns, and they also get back DT/DE Nate Pepper, who was sidelined with a knee injury the majority of the season. DE Eric Norwood returns, along with mammoth defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (whose weight may be an issue again), and the tough noseguard Ladi Ajiboye. The young guys (Travian Robertson, Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers) have all gotten bigger and stronger, as has most of the line. Competition will be fierce, especially at the defensive end position not filled with Norwood.
The linebackers lost only OLB Cody Wells and Casper Brinkley, but regained ILB Jasper Brinkley after he suffered a season ending knee injury. Matthews has moved back to the line, which opens up a spot on the outside, and Rodney Paulk's outside position can also be considered up for grabs. Guys like RS freshman Alonzo Winfeild, senior Marvin Sapp, junior Gerrod Sinclair, and true freshman Wilson all have a legitimate chance at making the two-deep coming out of spring.
The defensive backfield lost Brandon Issac and Chris Hampton, but return junior Captain Munnerlyn, who suffered a knee injury near the end of 07'. They also return, at corner, senior Carlos Thomas (who is facing some discipline off the field), sophomore Addison Williams, RS freshman Jamire Williams, senior Stoney Woodson, and junior Chris Hail. At safety they bring back hard hitting juniors Emmanuel Cook and Darian Stewart.
Improvement
What the Gamecocks need to do, is first find a QB. All signs point to either Smelley or Garcia.
Also, they need to establish an offensive line, and do it early, not 8 games into the season.
They also need to find consistent depth at wide out. I look for Jason Barnes and Hills to step up, but don't count out the Browns or Clements. I would include Larry Freeman, but I've almost given up hope on him, but who knows.
On defense, they need to improve the run stopping ability, which should improve with the returns of Brinkley and Pepper, plus an added year of experience for the younger players. Also, the depth at safety is an issue. Consider it wide open behind the starters. They also need to find some outside linebackers.
What to watch for
1-The QB race
2-The Offensive line
3-The run stopping defense
4-depth at wideout
5-Who will play outside linebacker
*Watch for Whitlock, Mark Barnes, and Culliver and maybe even Freeman to be switched to defense. I see Whitlock and Culliver at corner, Barnes at safety, and Freeman at either safety or outside linebacker.
Predicted post spring 2-deep
QB: Chris Smelley, Stephen Garcia, Tommy Beecher
RB: Brian Maddox, Eric Baker, Mike Davis
FB: Pat Dimarco, Yvan Banag, Bryan Kingrey
WR: Kenny McKinley, Jason Barnes, Moe Brown
OT: Q. Richardson, Jamon Meredith, Gurminder Thind
OG: Kevin Young, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Terrence Campbell
C: Garrett Anderson, Ryan Broadhead, Hardee Sanders
OG: Heath Batchelor, Seaver Brown, Pierre Andrews
OT: Hutch Eckerson, Kyle Nunn, Justin Sorenson
TE: Jared Cook, Wesley Saunders, Nick Prochak
WR: Joe Hills, Dion Lecorn, Freddie Brown
WR (slot): Dion Lecorn, Matt Clements, Paul Haile
DE: Eric Norwood, Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers
DT: Kenrick Ellis, Marque Hall, Jonathan Williams
NG: Ladi Ajiboye, Donte'e Nichols
DE: Nathan Pepper, Travian Robertson, Byron McKnight
SLB: Gerrod Sinclair, Marvin Sapp
MLB: Jasper Brinkley, Melvin Ingram, Vandarel Shackleford
WLB: Rodney Paulk, Alonzo Winfield
CB: Captain Munnerlyn, Jamire Williams, CC Whitlock
S:Emmanuel Cook, Stoney Woodson, Mike Newton
S: Darian Stewart, Antonio Allen, Larry Freeman
CB: Akeem Auguste, Carlos Thomas, Addison Williams
K: Ryan Succop
P: Ryan Succop
KR: Bobby Wallace, Culliver
PR: Spearman
*Upcoming: Clemson Spring Preview
But the football fields are not silenced. Spring practices are either already starting, are getting ready to do so.
Today, I'll take a look at both USC and Clemson; what both schools have coming back, what was lost, and what needs to be improved. Plus, I'll give my things to watch for. Today, I'll focus on USC.
........................................................................................................................................
The Gamecocks come limping into the spring after a 6-6 season that can be seen as nothing more than a let down. USC signed a descent class, but it pails in comparison to the 2007 class. A few of the signees enrolled early (DBs Akeem Auguste, Antonio Allan, Jay Spearman, RB Eric Baker, LB Shaq Wilson, ATH C.C. Whitlock).
USC is returning a good bit of players from last years two-deep, and will get a few back that were injured for a majority of the 07' campaign.
At QB, Blake Mitchell has graduated, but Sophomore Chris Smelley (who started the majority of the early season), Junior Tommy Beecher, and RS Freshman Stephen Garcia look to make an interesting race. Smelley looks to be the favorite with experience, but Spurrier has stated that he was going to "tweak" the offense, which may play into Garcia's favor.
At RB, the Gamecocks lose what was their emotion last year in Cory Boyd. Senior Mike Davis is in the doghouse with Spurrier and fans, which opens the door for Sophomore Brian Maddox, Baker, and Junior Bobby Wallace. They also lost solid fullback Lanard Stafford, but he looks to be replaced by Sophomore Pat Dimarco.
WR lost no one, returning Kenny McKinley and Dion Lecorn. Both may be out for the spring, which will open the door for guys like Joe Hills, Jason Barnes, Mark Barnes, Larry Freeman, Moe Brown, Freddie Brown, Matt Clements, Chris Culliver, and Whitlock. The TE lost a great blocker in Andy Boyd, but return Jared Cook and Wesley Saunders, and add former linebacker Dustin Lindsey, and former fullback Clark Gaston.
The offensive line, which has been criticized ever since Spurrier arrived, loses C Web Brown and OG James Thompson. The current starters are penciled in, and one can assume that it will be a wide open race, especially at left tackle, where Jamon Meredith is suspended to start the season. Garrett Anderson looks to be the heir apparant at center, but may feel heat from Ryan Broadhead. The right tackle is barely in the confines of mammoth Justin Sorenson, but he will have to stop up to hold off guys like Hutch Eckerson and Kyle Nunn. The guards will again be wide-open, with Heath Batchelor and Gurminder Thind filling the spot. Look for the hot battle to be at these two positions with Seaver Brown, Lemuel Jeanpierre, and maybe even Terrence Campbell giving the most heat.
On defense, no one was really lost that was seen as a big contributor. On the line, everyone returns, and they also get back DT/DE Nate Pepper, who was sidelined with a knee injury the majority of the season. DE Eric Norwood returns, along with mammoth defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (whose weight may be an issue again), and the tough noseguard Ladi Ajiboye. The young guys (Travian Robertson, Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers) have all gotten bigger and stronger, as has most of the line. Competition will be fierce, especially at the defensive end position not filled with Norwood.
The linebackers lost only OLB Cody Wells and Casper Brinkley, but regained ILB Jasper Brinkley after he suffered a season ending knee injury. Matthews has moved back to the line, which opens up a spot on the outside, and Rodney Paulk's outside position can also be considered up for grabs. Guys like RS freshman Alonzo Winfeild, senior Marvin Sapp, junior Gerrod Sinclair, and true freshman Wilson all have a legitimate chance at making the two-deep coming out of spring.
The defensive backfield lost Brandon Issac and Chris Hampton, but return junior Captain Munnerlyn, who suffered a knee injury near the end of 07'. They also return, at corner, senior Carlos Thomas (who is facing some discipline off the field), sophomore Addison Williams, RS freshman Jamire Williams, senior Stoney Woodson, and junior Chris Hail. At safety they bring back hard hitting juniors Emmanuel Cook and Darian Stewart.
Improvement
What the Gamecocks need to do, is first find a QB. All signs point to either Smelley or Garcia.
Also, they need to establish an offensive line, and do it early, not 8 games into the season.
They also need to find consistent depth at wide out. I look for Jason Barnes and Hills to step up, but don't count out the Browns or Clements. I would include Larry Freeman, but I've almost given up hope on him, but who knows.
On defense, they need to improve the run stopping ability, which should improve with the returns of Brinkley and Pepper, plus an added year of experience for the younger players. Also, the depth at safety is an issue. Consider it wide open behind the starters. They also need to find some outside linebackers.
What to watch for
1-The QB race
2-The Offensive line
3-The run stopping defense
4-depth at wideout
5-Who will play outside linebacker
*Watch for Whitlock, Mark Barnes, and Culliver and maybe even Freeman to be switched to defense. I see Whitlock and Culliver at corner, Barnes at safety, and Freeman at either safety or outside linebacker.
Predicted post spring 2-deep
QB: Chris Smelley, Stephen Garcia, Tommy Beecher
RB: Brian Maddox, Eric Baker, Mike Davis
FB: Pat Dimarco, Yvan Banag, Bryan Kingrey
WR: Kenny McKinley, Jason Barnes, Moe Brown
OT: Q. Richardson, Jamon Meredith, Gurminder Thind
OG: Kevin Young, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Terrence Campbell
C: Garrett Anderson, Ryan Broadhead, Hardee Sanders
OG: Heath Batchelor, Seaver Brown, Pierre Andrews
OT: Hutch Eckerson, Kyle Nunn, Justin Sorenson
TE: Jared Cook, Wesley Saunders, Nick Prochak
WR: Joe Hills, Dion Lecorn, Freddie Brown
WR (slot): Dion Lecorn, Matt Clements, Paul Haile
DE: Eric Norwood, Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers
DT: Kenrick Ellis, Marque Hall, Jonathan Williams
NG: Ladi Ajiboye, Donte'e Nichols
DE: Nathan Pepper, Travian Robertson, Byron McKnight
SLB: Gerrod Sinclair, Marvin Sapp
MLB: Jasper Brinkley, Melvin Ingram, Vandarel Shackleford
WLB: Rodney Paulk, Alonzo Winfield
CB: Captain Munnerlyn, Jamire Williams, CC Whitlock
S:Emmanuel Cook, Stoney Woodson, Mike Newton
S: Darian Stewart, Antonio Allen, Larry Freeman
CB: Akeem Auguste, Carlos Thomas, Addison Williams
K: Ryan Succop
P: Ryan Succop
KR: Bobby Wallace, Culliver
PR: Spearman
*Upcoming: Clemson Spring Preview
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