Talent is an issue at South Carolina.

Gone is the recruiting momentum sustained during three consecutive 11-win seasons along with the impressive roster management over the course of a five-year span featuring an Eastern Division title, but Steve Spurrier’s not giving up on his Gamecocks competing for an SEC Championship in the future, even as an underdog in 2015 perhaps.

Spurrier’s ‘2 or 3 more years’ comment in early December damaged last season’s recruiting class, crippling a once highly-ranked incoming haul. It didn’t look good for the future of the program and a few elite players on the way in took it as a warning, bolting elsewhere.

Now that the Head Ball Coach’s future plans have been swept under the rug a bit after he cleared up his comments, South Carolina can resume its work on strengthening a roster depleted of playmakers, offensive linemen and pass rushers nine months away from signing day.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing after 2015: Brandon Shell, Mike Matulis, Will Sport

If Shawn Elliott thinks his job will be a challenge this season up front after losing two multi-year starters in Corey Robinson and A.J. Cann, wait until the 2016 season when Shell, Matulis (tackles) and a utility man (Sports) depart from the Gamecocks. Redshirt freshman Donell Stanley and third-year sophomore D.J. Park represent the future along South Carolina’s offensive line, but it’s a unit that’s not very deep and is extremely thin on experience. The Gamecocks unexpectedly lost a key contributor on the interior during the offseason after Clayton Stadnik, a fourth-year player with 12 career starts at center, moved to fullback after losing more than 40 pounds.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Losing after 2015: Carlton Heard, Shamier Jeffery, Pharoh Cooper (2016 NFL draft eligible)

The impact of Heard and Jeffery’s impending exit may not be felt in the production department, but it damages the Gamecocks’ depth on the outside, especially if Cooper decides he’s done after three seasons. Not counting incoming freshmen from the 2015 class, it would leave South Carolina with only a handful of scholarship receivers heading into 2016 on an offense that will also say goodbye to tight end Jerell Adams and tailback Brandon Wilds. It’s essential that the Gamecocks’ three redshirt freshmen at the position — Deebo Samuel, Shaq Davidson and Terry Googer — gain valuable game experience this fall.

Other positions South Carolina should target: DL, DB, K, QB

CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS

South Carolina’s 2016 recruiting class has started slow, but features five verbal commitments highlighted by four-star signal caller Brandon McIlwain out of Newton, Pa. The Gamecocks have addressed their lack of playmakers on the outside with two receivers including four-star Kyle Davis, a lanky 6-foot-3 pass-catcher out of Georgia who has surged up many recruiting boards in recent weeks.

Over the last month, Davis has received offers from Alabama, LSU and Ohio State. His 247Sports Crystal Ball is trending Georgia. Davis appears to be the kind of cornerstone talent at the position this group will sorely need once Cooper departs for the NFL.

No offensive linemen have committed yet, but the Gamecocks are the favorite to land in-state four-star tackle Javon Kinlaw and could secure another in Landon Dickerson out of Hudson, N.C.

OUTLOOK

This coaching staff’s first priority is to make sure the current crop of commitments — and several others who may pledge before the start of the 2015 season this summer — are solid with their choice throughout the fall and don’t head elsewhere prior to signing day. It’s not an exact science and it’s much easier said than done, but remaining in contact and ensuring prospects feel included in the program as a future player is essential.

Last year’s class was ranked in the Top 10 for months before the Gamecocks lost nearly double digit commits in the days leading up to February’s most important day.