SEC East: South Carolina Gamecocks 2015 Football Preview

Written by James Gray II
Twitter: @JGray1221

Last season, by many fans, was viewed as a huge letdown. The South Carolina Gamecocks started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP poll only to get embarrassed at home 52-28 by Texas A&M in their first televised game of the season on the SEC Network.

It was a long season for the Gamecocks as they struggled on defense which ranked second to last in the SEC and 92nd overall.

Changes had to be made and that started with coaching. The defensive display was unacceptable and The Head Ball Coach knew that if he wanted to have another shot at making it to Atlanta he would need help.

In came Spurrier’s old Florida buddy who had just recently left the NFL, John Hoke. Hoke was announced as Co-Defensive Coordinator along with current Defensive Coordinator Lorenzo Ward. However, it is well known that Hoke will call the shots on that side of the ball.

Fortunately for everyone in Columbia, even more help was on the way. The additions of the Prep/JUCO players will have an immediate impact. Last year’s defensive line was one of the worst in the nation. Defensive end Marquavius Lewis was one of the highest ranked JUCO players and will start in the opener. Lewis along with Dante Sawyer will impact the line dramatically. Sawyer brings versatility lining up at either defensive tackle or defensive end.

The transfer of Isaiah Johnson from Kansas is also an upgrade at the safety position that needed help. Johnson was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year (2013) and the senior has taken a leadership roll with his new team as well. Hoke has moved redshirt junior Jordan Diggs away from the Spur position and thinks that Diggs is natural fit at strong safety.

The strength of the Gamecocks’ defense lies at the linebacker position. Junior Skai Moore is one of the most underrated players in the SEC, and ended the last four games with 42 tackles and three interceptions at middle linebacker.

Jonathan Walton, the junior out of Alabama, is in an intense battle with sophomore Bryon Allen-Williams for the starting weak side linebacker spot. Hoke can’t go wrong with either as Walton came on midway through last year and Williams was one of the best in the 2014 recruiting class and has star potential in the future.

Last season the cornerback position was depleted forcing many freshmen to play big minutes that they were not ready to do. Without a pass rush, it was brutal on the secondary.

Redsshirt junior Chaz Elder recently moved from the safety position to cornerback and surprisingly won the starting position over sophomore Chris Lammons. Expect Lammons to push Elder for that position as Lammons has the potential to be next in line to represent the Gamecocks past college. With redshirt junior Rico McWilliams opposite of him, and sophomore Al Harris Jr. waiting, the position is upgraded from a year ago.

Strangely, when a defense has a season like they did a year ago most would leave that side of the ball as the question mark. However, it is the offense that is the mystery heading into the 2015 season. Last year’s starting quarterback, Dylan Thompson, led the SEC in passing (3,564/26/11) while handing off the ball to now 49ers running back Mike Davis.

Spurrier has named his starting quarterback for the opener tabbing redshirt sophomore Connor Mitch. Don’t be surprised if you see the versatile freshman Lorenzo Nunez hit the field whether under center or elsewhere.

Fortunately the departure of Mike Davis will not hurt the Gamecocks significantly. Brandon Wilds has been on the team since 2011 and took over twice when Marcus Lattimore went down. Wilds’ size, strength, and experience will be key to the success of the run game.

Redshirt sophomore running back David Williams will also be heavily in the mix as the two provide a one-two punch. Williams though listed as second string, would start on a majority of teams, and will take advantage of his snaps.

There are many concerns about the offensive line and rightfully so after losing former All-American A.J. Cann. The oldest guy on the line is guard Mike Matulis, coming off three significant surgeries and hasn’t played since 2012.

The most skilled player is senior Brandon Shell, who is moving from the right tackle spot to the left side. Sophomore Alan Knott will start at center, and was named to the Remington Watch List (nation’s top center).

At the wide receiver position, preseason All-SEC pick Pharoh Cooper is the only Gamecock to put up numbers in the passing attack. Though, many believe new starter redshirt freshman Deebo Samuel has big upside and could be a breakout player for South Carolina. Former walk-on senior Carleton Heard will see his share of snaps and senior Shamier Jeffery, redshirt freshman Terry Googer, and freshman Jalen Christian should see playing time as well.

The tight end position is without current 49er Busta Anderson but, has a guy with plenty of experience who is expected to carry a big load in senior Jerell Adams. With a new quarterback under center, Spurrier expects big things from his 6-foot 6-inch tight end. Backup tight end KC Crosby was a big recruit for the Gamecocks and can play either H-back or tight end.

Spurrier understands last season was a rude wake up call for him, and there is nobody else who wants to prove his critics wrong more than Spurrier. Many close to the man under the visor, say they see a reenergized man, one who is moving way more than someone else his age.

There are no easy ways to start the season, as the Gamecocks face a border rival in Charlotte against the North Carolina Tar Heels. From there they try to avenge last season’s loss to Kentucky, before their trip to Athens. From there they face out of conference opponent UCF who has been far from a pushover and then head to Missouri before their showdown with LSU.

Vanderbilt might provide a small break in the stiff competition, but South Carolina’s first trip to Texas A&M is what follows. Next they head to Knoxville and then back home to host the Gators. Citadel will allow a brief healing week before their instate battle with Clemson.

South Carolina has enough pieces on both side of the ball to improve on last season’s mediocrity. However, with inconsistent quarterback play and confusion on defense with a new system, things could get ugly.

I predict a huge upgrade on the defensive side of the ball with the defensive line being able to get to the quarterback much more often, the linebackers holding down the running game, and the secondary able to stick to their assignments.

The defense will get tested early as they will face two of the best running backs in the nation in Georgia’s Nick Chubb and LSU’s Leonard Fournette.

The offense will heavily depend on the leadership from Brandon Wilds, Pharoh Cooper, Brandon Shell, and Jerell Adams. Connor Mitch is fortunate to have key pieces at every position and will rely heavily on their experience. Mitch has a strong accurate arm and seems to have a cool mentality under pressure.

Expectations are a bit more realistic this season, but this is a team that has a chip on their shoulder. There is a good mix of younger and veteran guys who are hungry to put the Gamecocks back in the thick of things.

Many have already written off South Carolina, but don’t think the man behind eight SEC titles won’t go down swinging or cannot shock everyone pulling off some upset wins.

Regular Season Prediction: 8-4

Photo credit: carolinablitz.com; Steve Spurrier press conference
Photo credit: postandcurrier.com; No. 10 Skai Moore
Photo credit: ugafans.com; No. 11 Pharoh Cooper lays out for a pass vs. Georgia