South Carolina football: 5 biggest holes to fill in 2021 starting lineup
With a returning quarterback, running back and most of the offensive line, South Carolina certainly has several known commodities on offense. Defense is a much different story.
The Gamecocks return 6 starters on offense but just 3 on defense: DE Aaron Sterling, LB Sherrod Greene and Buck/DE Kingsley Enagbare. The secondary is being completely overhauled.
The biggest hole to fill is at wide receiver, where Shi Smith leaves a massive void, especially if you consider the No. 2 receiver was largely MIA for much of last season. Smith had nearly twice as many catches as the next closest receiver, Nick Muse, who made a big move at the end of the season.
Here are the 5 biggest holes for the Gamecocks to replace in 2021:
WR: Ahmarean Brown replacing Shi Smith
Anytime a receiver is mentioned in the same sentence with Calvin Johnson, it’s a good thing, and that’s certainly the case with the Georgia Tech transfer. Brown had 11 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in 2020 but did not play in the final 3 games. However, in 2019 he appeared in all 12 games and produced a historic season, as he tied Johnson for most receiving touchdowns by a freshman at Georgia Tech with 7. He also had a team-leading 396 receiving yards on 21 receptions to average 18.9 yards per catch.
Smith’s production was 57 catches for 633 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 70.3 yards per game average was 7th in the SEC in 2020.
DL: Zacch Pickens replacing Keir Thomas
The 6-3, 310-pound Pickens is primed for a breakout season and ready to elevate himself into a discussion of an All-SEC lineman. The former 5-star prospect made eyebrow-raising plays against Tennessee and Florida last season, and overall had a sack, 2.5 tackles for a loss and 35 tackles in 10 games, including 8 tackles against Ole Miss and 6 against Texas A&M.
Although Thomas was more versatile and played multiple positions, Pickens can set a goal to shoot for Thomas’ consistency and production. In 5 seasons with the Gamecocks, Thomas appeared in 47 games and made 32 starts with 132 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
LB: Sherrod Greene replacing Ernest Jones
This is an easily overlooked huge hole to fill as Jones was one of the more consistent players, especially on defense, in the SEC for a couple seasons. He led the Gamecocks in tackles each of the last 2 seasons, with 86 in 2020, and 97 in 2019. Jones was a consistent voice, especially with the media, to discuss the Gamecocks’ defensive struggles.
Greene battled a hip injury and missed all but one game of the 2020 season. But it’s safe to say that Greene has exceeded expectations coming out of high school as a 3-star prospect. He has been a 2-year starter and has 132 career tackles. Similar to Pickens replacing Thomas, Greene developing consistency with his production will be a key factor for the 2021 team.
CB: Cam Smith replacing Israel Mukuamu
At cornerback, Smith is one of the more experienced Gamecocks who return in 2021 after a rash of NFL departures and transfers. He had 16 tackles and 2 interceptions in 8 games in 2020, as his playing time ramped up down the stretch after Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn opted out.
Mukuamu ran a bit hot and cold and battled a groin injury for a good chunk of the 2020 season. He may be most remembered for the acrobatic interception against Florida last season, and, of course, the 3 picks against Georgia in 2019.
S: Jaylin Dickerson replacing Jammie Robinson
Dickerson, a safety, is one of the best potential stories in recent years. In the spring game 3 years ago, Dickerson broke up a pass early and had 8 tackles by early in the second half as he drew rave reviews from broadcaster Greg McElroy during the game. While he’s had 33 career tackles and is a probable starter in 2021, 2 shoulder surgeries have slowed Dickerson’s progress.
Robinson was another transfer portal entry following the firing of Will Muschamp. But he was a dependable player in the secondary and was a starter last season. He made 135 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups in his 2 seasons with the Gamecocks.
I think this article is just the tip of the iceberg. South Carolina has many, many big holes to fill. I’m not so sure quarterback is a done deal. Luke Doty impressed with his legs, but was not so impressive through the air. Although he completed 60% of his passes, he averaged less than 6 yards per attempt and more interceptions than touchdowns. That will be a key position to fill in the coming year. Running back is solid with Kevin Harris and MarShawn Lloyd coming back. Agreed that wide receiver will need significant improvement. I am high on FCS transfer EJ Jenkins and, of course, Ga. Tech transfer Ahmarean Brown. Nick Muse is solid at the tight end position. The defense will require a complete overhaul, which may not be a bad thing for a new coaching staff. I think the defensive line will hold its own. The defensive backs will be the most needed priority as most of our experienced linebackers and all of the safeties are now gone.
I like Beamer’s concentration on strength and conditioning prior to the start of spring practice. If nothing else, I would like to see players compete, even when they are outmatched.
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With Luke Doty and Kevin Harris, USC has a nice “core” to build on.
Add Marshawn Lloyd to the mix and there just might be a decent running game in Columbia next year.
The Gamecocks are sure gonna need that to keep defenses from stacking the box.
I know very little about Shane Beamer and his philosophy but color me curious to see how things unfold next year.
i can’t remember a time in gamecock history where we had only 9 returning starters for the entire team. i have to wonder-would the transfer-outs have happened if we’d canned muschamp after the end of the season.
doty is 100% unproven. with no depth behind him (unlikely question mark players)
RB is the best position on the team-how will the OL play w/out hutcherson (it could still be a strength-and if they improve in pass blocking everything about the offense could be slightly better)
WR-on the upside: the kid from ga tech is used to making plays from the less talented team on the field. the true FR WR’s and TE’s ought to benefit from a full year of off-season program-none of them really showed up last year
DL: the other strength of the team
LB: in decent shape given the 4-2-5 preferred by new DC
DB: in worse shape than WR. and could have been in decent shape.
this is a long rebuild. if we play all 12 games we have a shot at 6 wins but i’d only bet on 4.
we are in worse shape on this roster than any time in the history of the gamecocks in the SEC
I’m not sure how worse this present team is than Muschamp’s last two years (a combined 6-13). I’ll take an unknown up and comer over a known loser any day.
Truly sorry to see a proud program with a rabid fan base fall so quickly. Beamer is a great hire so good days ahead for USC just not soon
I think USC made the right decision in moving on from Muschamp. Beamer will do fine and the transfer portal will help a lot of the teams needing to fill holes. The biggest thing USC and UT for that matter need to do is simply WIN! Winning cures all. Get to a bowl and work from there. Rebuilds don’t have to take that long.