South Carolina Gamecocks 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The Gamecocks largely rode a defensive wave into 9 wins last fall that culminated with a bowl win over Michigan. The offense, led by 20 game starter Jake Bentley, never did fully live up to expectations, and like most Will Muschamp teams, that was not much of a surprise. We find South Carolina in yet another season in 2018 where all spots below Georgia in the SEC East could be a free for all, and South Carolina has a real shot to make a major push in the division. Will the offense get off the ground, or will the defense carry the day yet again?
Breakdown Offense: Bentley is back, and despite some push in spring camp, there was never any doubt that he would return as a junior as the starting QB. He had some moments last fall, but for all the pre-season hype he got a year ago, he really did not live up to it as a sophomore. He passed for 2794 yards, but he tossed 18 TDs to 12 INTs, which is a ratio I am sure that his offensive coaching staff would love to widen the gap of. He completed 62.2% of his passes, and averaged 214 yards passing per game, but we all know he can do better. Michael Scarnecchia is back as a senior to back him up, while Jay Urich and Dakereon Joyner, a pair of freshmen, will fight it out for the 3rd spot.
The staff could not commit to a single back last fall, and the offense struggled largely for it, averaging just 122 yards rushing per game, ranking them 110th nationally in rushing yards per game. That is an area that must improve if the Gamecocks are to compete for an SEC East title at any point. Not one back in the rotation carried even 100 times last fall, so someone has to step up, but it does look like the committee approach is coming back this fall, with AJ Turner, Ty'Son Williams, and Rico Dowdle all returning. Mon Denson and Caleb Kinlaw also return. This group may be deep, but other than Turner, there is not a ton of explosiveness here.
Deebo Samuel looked like he would be the best receiver in the nation early last fall, but then he went down after 3 games, and he is still struggling to return from two separate leg injuries. If he can make it back and regain his explosive form from last season, it lifts the entire offense with him. Bryan Edwards took over that lead role after Samuel went down, and returns once again after posting 64 receptions for 793 yards and 5 scores, but he cannot spread the field like Samuel can. Shi Smith will also return to start, and caught 29 passes last fall. He averaged just 2.4 touches per game last season. Or'Tre Smith, Randrecous Davis, and Chavis Dawkins are the backups, and they combined for 39 receptions last season off the bench, with 30 of those catches coming from Smith. Chad Terrell was also expected to get some reps, but suffered an ACL injury in spring ball.
Hayden Hurst is gone at TE, and it may take a committee to replace him. KC Crosby left spring ball with the edge to start, but may see more time as H-Back. Jacob August, Kyle Markway, and Evan Hinson are more pure TE types, and will battle into the fall. Kiel Pollard could add some reps, but like Crosby, could see more time at H-Back.
The line will return 3 starters in Dennis Daley (LT), Zack Bailey (LG), and Donnell Stanley (C). The right side needs to be rebuilt. Sadarius Hutcherson could be in a battle at RG with Jordan Rhodes. Rhodes was recruited at RT, but played inside during spring camp. Blake Camper looks to have the edge at RT, but if Malik Young is healthy for fall camp, he could slide in to that spot as well. Eric Douglas, a RS freshman also finds himself in the mix. Maxwell Iyama fills in as a backup at LT, Chandler Farrell backs up at LG, and Hank Manos backs up at C. Iyama and Manos are both freshmen.
Breakdown Defense: The Gamecocks allowed just over 20 points per game last fall, and ranked 25th in scoring defense, and 44th in total defense.
One of the strengths of the defense may be up front on the line. DJ Wonnum will likely return as the BUCK end, and led the team with 13 TFLs last fall, and also led with 6 sacks. He can drop into pass coverage, or be disruptive at the point of attack, as he finished with 5 PBUs as well. He totaled 57 tackles. Brad Johnson, a sophomore, could push Wonnum to the other DE spot, but will, at the very least, see plenty of reps in rotation this fall. Aaron Starling is projected to start at DE, if Wonnum does not slide over. Shameik Blackshear, however, had a huge spring, and could push his way into the job and change plans altogether.
The Gamecocks are solid inside on the line, as both Javon Kinlaw and Keir Thomas return as starters. They combined for just 6.5 TFLs last fall, but they bring back experience, and they do the dirty work that Tackles normally handle. Kobe Smith could push Thomas in fall camp, and should see plenty of rotational work this fall. Kingsley Enagbare, a freshman, is someone that is creating a lot of buzz.
TJ Brunson returns to start at MLB, but 2 new starters must be found. Brunson totaled 83 tackles last fall, and added 4.5 TFLs. He should be the heart of the middle of the defense this season. Bryson Allen-Williams looks to have the edge at SLB, but Daniel Fennell could also work his way into the role as well. Both have plenty of experience and versatility. Sherrod Greene, a sophomore, figures in at the weak side. Eldridge Thompson also figures in there, but could also see time at SPUR, replacing Skai Moore. Rosendo Luis, a freshman, is slated to back up the MIKE spot.
The secondary has to replace 3 starters, as only Rashad Fenton returns to start at CB. Fenton totaled 8 PBUs in coverage last fall, but picked off just one pass. He totaled 48 tackles. Keisean Nixon appears to have an edge at the open CB spot. Korey Banks backs him up, but freshman Jaycee Horn arrives in fall camp, and will make a push. Israel Mukuamu, a true freshman, backs up Fenton, while projected backup Tavyn Jackson slipped on the chart due to having some injury issues in spring ball.
Both Safeties need to be replaced. Steven Montac (SS) has the edge to start, but he may be used more as a utility DB, with grad transfer JT Ibe coming over from Rice in fall camp. Freshman RJ Roderick will back up at SS either way.
Jamyest Williams projects to start at FS, but moves over from NB. He was not fully healthy from a shoulder injury in spring ball, so he could get pushed out by former WR Javon Charleston. Jaylin Dickerson could still figure in here, but also had injury issues during the spring session.
Breakdown Special Teams: The kicking game last season was, in a word, abysmal, last season. Parker White returns at PK, but was just 4/12 on FG attempts of 40 yards or more last season, and was just 14/25 overall. A solid push here would be good.
Joseph Charlton was a rock at Punter last fall, and averaged 43.45 yards per punt. He will be relied upon, especially if the offense struggles yet again.
If Samuel is healthy, there is no more electrifying return man in the college game than him. Kicking the ball in his direction is a fool's errand.He could return punts as well. If he is not healthy, these spots become much more pedestrian.
Final Analysis: South Carolina ranked just 108th in total offense per game last fall, and that is simply not going to get it done again. If the Gamecocks want to approach, or even eclipse their 9 win total of 2017, the offense has to get it done, and the TD to turnover ratio from Bentley has got to improve. Deebo Samuel will have a huge impact on whether the offense sails or not. They averaged 33 points per game with him in full action, and the number plummets without him. It should not all fall to one player, however, and someone else has to step up to take the load off, especially in the run game, which was putrid last fall. Improvements also must be found on special teams, with a focus on FGs, where the Gamecocks left an astounding 39 points on the field due to missed kicks last season.
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