Kicking off our fall camp preview series is the South Carolina Gamecocks, a team not expecting to compete for an SEC championship based on preseason odds, but “stranger things have happened” according to Steve Spurrier.

Personnel

Noticeable early in the season opener against Texas A&M, talent on defense was a major issue facing last season’s team. The Gamecocks were inexperienced in a lot of areas and opposing teams took advantage, dissecting a youth-laden secondary (allowed SEC-high 62.1 completion percentage) throughout the season without the fear of a pass rush (ranked 119th nationally with 14 total sacks).

Lorenzo Ward’s defense wilted at its core, but help has arrived. Defensive end Marquavius Lewis is one of several JUCO transfers fighting for position in the trenches expected to get immediate playing time on a renovated unit under first-year co-DC Jon Hoke. Lewis was South Carolina’s defensive MVP of the spring and will potentially be a three-down player in his first season.

The early-summer addition of Kansas graduate transfer Isaiah Johnson bolsters the safety group as well. Johnson started all 24 games during his career with the Jayhawks, accumulating 148 tackles and six interceptions.

Offensively, the Gamecocks replace A.J. Cann and Corey Robinson up front along with top rusher Mike Davis, quarterback Dylan Thompson and three leading receiving targets behind All-SEC wideout Pharoh Cooper off a unit that averaged 32.6 points per game.

Cooper spoke highly of potential starters Terry Googer and Deebo Samuel, guys who will be jockeying for position with Shaq Davidson and Shamier Jeffery (brother of Alshon) next month.

Primary position battles

Quarterback — Connor Mitch vs. Lorenzo Nunez vs. Perry Orth: More or less a one-sided competition depending on who you’re asking, Mitch is a third-year sophomore who has waited his turn behind Thompson and Connor Shaw to lead Spurrier’s balanced offense. The Head Ball Coach said the race was “pretty much wide open” but it’s not likely a true freshman starts under center in the opener. The Gamecocks want to see consistency from all three players battling for the position throughout fall practice and Spurrier will make his final decision based on that.

Running back — Brandon Wilds vs. David Williams: The Gamecocks will likely go with the two-back approach early before one of these two separates from the other — not a bad problem to have for an offense that needs to lean on the run game until the quarterback situation’s sorted out. Wilds’ durability is a concern, but he’s proven to be a solid option in relief with 1,277 career rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 256 attempts. Williams is a home run threat poised to break out as a redshirt sophomore. Both are capable of filling the production void left by Davis in South Carolina’s new-look offense.

Right tackle — Mason Zandi or Mike Matulis: Returning tackle Brandon Shell has moved to the left side to replace Robinson which means Zandi and Matulis are going toe-to-toe in August for the right to anchor the other end of the line. Matulis is a fifth-year senior whose been plagued by injuries throughout his career while Zandi is one of the Gamecocks’ biggest players at a massive 6-foot-9, 315 pounds. Zandi’s a fourth-year junior.

End goal

The Gamecocks crumbled under preseason pressure as the Eastern Division favorites last fall, but face the opposite end of the polarizing SEC spectrum this season. The primary goal in August is to determine a defensive line rotation and select a quarterback, areas Spurrier will refer to daily during post-practice availability at the Proving Grounds.

If South Carolina makes serious strides defensively during fall camp and feel comfortable going into the North Carolina game on offense, this team could surpass its seven-win expectation. Getting players to adjust and understand Hoke’s pressure-rich scheme along with establishing confidence under center is easier said than done, however.