South Carolina 2014 Spring Football Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

The offense, in general, should be strong. South Carolina loses three key contributors offensively: QB Connor Shaw, WR Bruce Ellington, and RG Ronald Patrick. The losses of Shaw and Ellington are obviously significant, but Dylan Thompson is a capable replacement for Shaw, and the Gamecocks were deep at WR last year with Shaq Roland and Pharoh Cooper emerging late in the season as heirs apparent to Ellington. Otherwise, Carolina returns three potential NFL picks on the offensive line. Those linemen will block for a talented group of tailbacks led by Mike Davis.

Carolina has question marks on defense at both defensive end and cornerback. Carolina graduated lots of experience at both positions. These questions were assuaged somewhat by the facts that the formerly undersized Darius English has bulked up a bit at end and that safety Brison Williams performed well while cross-training at corner, but these concerns will remain issues into fall camp.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

WR Shaq Roland came on strong late last season and may become a household name if he solidifies his role as the go-to receiver going into the season. Not only should he get more targets with Bruce Ellington gone, but the Gamecocks will likely throw the ball more with Thompson under center.

WR Pharoh Cooper could also have a breakout season after a promising end to last season and a strong spring.

Defensively, keep an eye on spur (hybrid safety/linebacker) Jordan Diggs. Diggs backed up All-SEC performer Sharrod Golightly last year, and while Golightly returns, the coaches said Diggs was pushing him for the starting spot by the end of the spring.

Diggs is a better athlete and a more prototypical athletic profile for the position than Golightly, and it seems the light has finally come on for him in terms of understanding his role in the defense. If that’s the case, Diggs could be the Gamecocks next big playmaker at the position, following in the footsteps of predecessors such as Antonio Allen (currently of the NY Jets).

Grade each position group

QB: B  Dylan Thompson should be a competent replacement of Connor Shaw, but must reduce mistakes to enter the SEC’s elite at the position.

RB: A  One of the team’s biggest strengths with two NFL-caliber backs in Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, up-and-comer David Williams, and competent backup Shon Carson.

WR/TE: B  The potential is there for an “A” rating, but Shaq Roland must finally translate potential into elite production for an entire season.

OL: A  This group has star power in A.J. Cann, Brandon Shell, and Corey Robinson and goes deep at every position. May be the best offensive line in the SEC, which is something I couldn’t have imagined ever saying about Carolina five years ago.

DL: C  The potential is there for higher rating, particularly if recruit Dexter Wideman qualifies, but lack of returning production and shaky depth at DE makes this a potential Achilles heel for the team. Carolina is more solid at tackle, where J.T. Surratt returns after a strong season and several other players look poised to vie to replace Kelcy Quarles’s production.

LB: B  The team’s weakness last year due to lack of experience, this is now the most experienced group on defense and should be a strength.

DB: C  Carolina is strong at safety but loses both starting corners. The Gamecocks bring in a heralded class of freshman corners, but how many of them will be ready to contribute as freshmen? Another potential Achilles heel; for a picture of what relying on freshmen, even very talented ones, at corner looks like, see last year’s Georgia team.

ST: D  Carolina has a reliable placekicker in Elliott Fry, but special teams were otherwise a disaster for Carolina last year and may be again this year if reports from spring camp are any indication. Special teams played a major role in both of Carolina’s losses last year.

What can we expect from South Carolina in 2014?

About the same as last year. The team should be very good on offense again, although the identity will change to a more downfield passing-friendly approach.

The defense is strong at linebacker, tackle, and safety but vulnerable at end and corner, with some of last year’s weaknesses becoming strengths and vice versa.

Can the team win another 10 or 11 games? Yes, but it may be more difficult than it was last year, with Texas A&M and Auburn rotating in from the West. Barring a rash of significant injuries, I’d say the floor is eight wins and the ceiling is 11 and a trip to Atlanta for a shot at the conference title, with something in between most likely.

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John Havard of Garnet and Black Attack provided the information for our South Carolina Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Gamecock football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow John on Twitter @GABAttack.

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