South Carolina camp to-do list: What's solved, what's left before opener
Fans, media and alumni are all waiting to hear who won the three-man quarterback competition, but if coach Will Muschamp knows, he’s not saying publicly. It appears down to Perry Orth and Brandon McIlwain, with summer enrollee Jake Bentley part of the long-term plan.
Orth started eight games a year ago. McIlwain is the most athletic and Bentley has arguably the best frame. There’s a theory that Orth and McIlwain could share time at least early as they offer contrasting styles, allowing offensive coordinator Kurt Roper the opportunity to match skill with schemes in certain situations.
In whatever way the quarterback situation unfolds, the signal caller will have some weapons who have established themselves this spring and summer.
While quarterback is the highest profile question entering the season, the defensive secondary could be the team’s weakest link in terms of depth and talent.
Here’s a look at where South Carolina stands as it races toward Thursday Sept. 1’s opener at Vanderbilt.
What’s been solved?
1. Running back rotation: A.J. Turner has asserted himself as the clear starter ahead of David Williams, who entered camp as the presumed favorite after four starts last season. Turner is a bit of an unknown after a redshirt season last year, and he missed much of his senior high school season in Clifton, Va., because of a wrist injury. But he’s impressed the coaching staff in the spring and summer workouts to lock up the starting job.
2. Samuel is a go-to weapon: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel could be poised for a breakout season as he takes inherits a role left by Pharoh Cooper. Samuel played in five games a year ago, and started three, but also suffered a hamstring injury against North Carolina. He had 12 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown as the team’s third-best pass-catcher. He will be a much bigger piece to the offensive puzzle in 2016.
3. O-line developing: Muschamp also appears to be very pleased with the makeup and attitude of the offensive line, a position where he credited Shawn Elliott, the program’s former interim coach, The State reported.
“We have some good players up there,” he said. “We have some toughness up there. We have some guys who compete in practice and embrace competition.”
What are the lingering issues?
1. Starters lack experience: How will the severely inexperienced Gamecocks fare with just a handful of players who have even started 12 games? Phil Steele ranked South Carolina 12th in the SEC in experience, and the 12 returning starters includes specialists.
Injuries and departures for personal reasons have knocked two previous starters out of the depth chart on defense. The most notable absence, of course, is All-SEC linebacker Skai Moore.
2. D-line rotation: Depth on the defensive line is a question mark after the Gamecocks’ front four of Darius English, Dante Sawyer, Ulric Jones and Marquavius Lewis. Line coach Lance Thompson has said he wants 10 players in the rotation.
There’s much to be desired after the Gamecocks finished 11th in the SEC last season with 20 sacks.
3. Who replaces Moore? It’s not just the production and plays he made. It’s the leadership, experience, on-field coaching that South Carolina will miss from Moore, who is out for the season following a season-ending neck injury.
Can Jonathan Walton, English or Lewis take over the leadership of the defense? Some combination of those along with Bryson Allen-Williams and T.J. Holloman will be asked to fill the Moore void.