SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Rokevious Watkins-OT, Terrence Campbell-OG, Stephen Garcia-QB, Jay Wooten-K, Alshon Jeffery-WR (NFL)
DEFENSE: Travian Robertson-DT, Melvin Ingram-DE, Rodney Paulk-MLB, Antonio Allen-SPUR, C.C. Whitlock-CB, Marty Markett-CB, Joey Scribner-Howard-P, Stephon Gilmore-CB (NFL)
RB Marcus Lattimore
Defensive Back / Running Back

The nation's No. 2 ranked passing defense is set to return three full-time senior starters with plenty of depth behind them. Getting Heisman Candidate ball carrier Marcus Lattimore back from a season ending knee injury keeps the Gamecock offense ranked in the top 4 of the SEC in total offense.

Quarterback / Offensive Line / Kicking

Like a broken record, legendary coach Steve Spurrier enters another year with quarterback questions. It does not help matters when the offensive line is one of the worst in the league at protecting the passer. The Gamecocks also need to locate a new kicker and punter.

DE Devin Taylor
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Connor Shaw-Jr Dylan Thompson-So
FB Dalton Wilson-Sr ..
TB Marcus Lattimore-Jr (inj.) Brandon Wilds-So / Kenny Miles-Sr / D.L. Moore-Sr
WR .. ..
WR Ace Sanders-Jr Nick Jones-So
WR Bruce Ellington-So Damiere Byrd-So / DeAngelo Smith-Jr
TE Justice Cunningham-Sr Rory Anderson-So
OT .. ..
OG A.J. Cann-So ..
C T.J. Johnson-Sr ..
OG .. ..
OT Cody Gibson-So Mike Matulis-So
K .. ..
 
SOUTH CAROLINA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Devin Taylor-Sr Chaz Sutton-Jr
DT Byron Jerideau-Sr ..
DT Kelcy Quarles-So Aldrick Fordham-Sr
DE Jadeveon Clowney-So ..
MLB Shaq Wilson-Sr ..
WLB Reginald Bowens-Sr Quin Smith-Sr
SPUR Damario Jeffery-Sr Sharrod Golightly-So
CB Victor Hampton-So ..
CB .. ..
SS DeVonte Holloman-Sr Brison Williams-So
FS D.J. Swearinger-Sr Jimmy Legree-Jr
P .. ..
QUICK TAKES
12/21/11
  • South Carolina will be a Top 10 team again if running back Marcus Lattimore gets back to 100% health, if Connor Shaw continues to mature as a quarterback and if the NFL Draft doesn't steal too many Gamecock underclassmen. The defense will still lead the charge.
  • Spurrier has already led South Carolina to its best season since 1983. One more win in the bowl game gives them an 11-win season, something that has never been accomplished in school history. There is no reason to believe the 2012 team cannot duplicate this feat.
  • An interesting aspect to watch will be just how this defense reacts and plays without defensive coach Ellis Johnson, who took the head-coaching job at Southern Miss.
  • Connor Shaw is an underrated quarterback. His running ability and maturation this past season after stepping in for Stephen Garcia helped the Gamecocks to a 7-1 record with him under center. This is still the nation's 96th ranked passing offense.
  • Alshon Jeffery has rewritten the school record books for a wide receiver. Everyone expects Jeffery to enter the NFL draft in 2012. This will not help Spurrier's struggles to find a passing game for once.
  • Freshman Brandon Wilds exceeded expectations carrying the pigskin while filling in for the injured Marcus Lattimore. But this team needs Lattimore back to 100% if they wish to compete with Georgia for the SEC East crown. The offensive line, although playing much better than just two to three seasons ago, continues to hinder the offensive efforts.
  • Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is as good as advertised and was named SEC Freshman of The Year by the league's coaches. His presence on the outside keeps South Carolina on the list of elite defenses.

 

 

SOUTH CAROLINA 2012 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 - at Vanderbilt
Sept. 8 - East Carolina
Sept. 15 - UAB
Sept. 22 - Missouri
Sept. 29 - at Kentucky
Oct. 6 - Georgia
Oct. 13 - at Louisiana State
Oct. 20 - at Florida
Oct. 27 - Tennessee
Nov. 10 - Arkansas
Nov. 17 - Wofford
Nov. 24 - at Clemson