In this new feature, GamecockCentral.com gives its subscribers both sides of the coin - a look at why there are reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic about the Gamecock offense and defense heading into next season. I'll make arguments for each side on both sides of the ball. The final game of the 2014 season just took place and things will look different from now until next month. For that reason, we will revise this multiple times leading up to the 2015 season. This is the first installment and first we will look at the offensive side of the ball.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Reasons for optimism: While USC loses a pair of starters from the 2014 unit, several players return. Heading into this season, it was thought that USC would probably lose right tackle Brandon Shell after the season but for a while not it has appeared he will be back for his senior campaign. That will provide an experienced and steady player at what will be the biggest question mark along the offensive line for USC, which is tackle. Mason Zandi and D.J. Park figure to be in the mix for another offensive tackle spot. Neither has a wealth of experience, but both have some talent if it can be put together during the offseason and spring football. Park has shown flashes in practice when he plays with an aggressive attitude and Zandi is a very good athlete for his size. Mike Matulis started his career at tackle and could figure in the equation there as well if USC opted to go that route. He's talented, but has had injuries derail his progress during his career. If USC can remain healthy and develop the other guys, the drop-off may not be that substantial for 2015 at tackle.
While USC loses A.J. Cann at left guard and he will be tough to replace, several players that have seen the field return at guard and center for USC next season. The aforementioned Matulis was slated to start in 2014 at right guard for USC, so that gives the Gamecocks some flexibility inside as well if he remains inside. Cody Waldrop was also injured most of the season and if he's back healthy, that gives USC another option at one of the guard spots and a guy that has experience. Redshirt freshman Donell Stanley is talented and made strides in the weight room and on the field during his redshirt season in 2014. Center Alan Knott figures to have a leg up on the race to win the center job as a redshirt sophomore and will have the benefit of an offseason to pack on some more weight. Will Sport entered 2014 as a backup and ended up starting several games, which will only help him going forward.
Reasons for pessimism: Cann was the best player along the line for USC at his guard spot, was a rock for this group and also played his final game against Miami on Saturday. Simply put, there is nobody on the roster with his talent level or experience. USC has some players that have a chance to be good inside in time, but will any of them be ready to man a spot and be able to give USC what it had with Cann the past few seasons? A couple of guys that were counted on to play guard this season for USC in Waldrop and Matulis have unfortunately often had injuries during their careers. If either is injured again next season, the picture may not look as good inside as it did even in 2014. We saw that the line took a step back after those two went down with injuries this season.
Even though Corey Robinson was inconsistent in his final year, USC doesn't have a proven guy it can plug in to the important left tackle spot. The overall depth at tackle is not the prettiest picture for USC either. Park played in eight games this season and Zandi played in all 13, but most of that work came on special teams. Neither of those players has seen substantial action in key game situations. The loss of potential instant impact junior college transfer Paris Palmer hurts, as he could have manned a starting spot. It's doubtful that redshirt freshman Malik Young will be ready as soon as next season, and it's not ideal to count on freshmen from the 2015 recruiting class if at all possible. USC will not be able to afford to have injuries at this position.
QUARTERBACK
Reasons for optimism: There will not be a Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson on the roster next season, but if the Gamecock staff plays its cards right perhaps the situation is actually better than it looks on the surface. Connor Mitch has not played a lot during his career but can make the throws required in the offense. Having the opportunity to take the reins as the number one quarterback will help with his preparation, focus, and readiness. Pharoh Cooper could factor in more if needed as an option at quarterback, as he has shown he can run the ball and even throw it when under center and give USC a different dimension. USC has also told current verbal commitment Lorenzo Nunez to get prepared as if he may play some next season. He will not be ready to take hold of the entire offense, but using his athleticism in spots would be a welcome addition to the offense's arsenal. USC could also lean on the running game with several current roster members returning to the fold, which should aid in the transition in breaking in a new starter.
Reasons for pessimism: 7 for 16 for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That's the numbers that returning players on the roster next season at this key position put up in 2014. The two touchdown passes came from wide receiver Cooper, two incompletions were thrown by walk-on Perry Orth, and expected starter Mitch only played late against Furman and South Alabama. USC will also have redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia available along with Nunez from the 2015 class. USC does not have the luxury of a proven starter returning, nor a fifth-year senior taking over for an established player like Dylan Thompson did for Connor Shaw this year. If Mitch was not as strong as needed or went down with injury, would USC feel good about the backups? If USC plays Cooper at quarterback more, does that not take away a playmaker at receiver? These are fair questions. The experience is not there and that's always a concern at a position like quarterback even if the presumed starter has talent.
RUNNING BACK
Reasons for optimism: Mike Davis will not be in the Garnet and Black next season, but USC returns everyone else from the 2014 version of this corps. Brandon Wilds has played a lot of football in Columbia and shown that when healthy, he is capable of carrying the load. Shon Carson came on and had some nice runs this season, and David Williams will be the most naturally talented back on the roster next year. All three played in 2014, and all three can help. If needed, USC could also turn to a freshman in Mon Denson or AJ Turner from the 2015 class in the event of injury or if either proves good enough to help some. Even without the dynamic Davis on campus next season, USC still has some depth and talent at this spot and the guys that are on the roster all have different and unique skill sets. There is some speed, some power, and some wiggle to go around.
Reasons for pessimism: Don't discount the loss of Davis here. He's been one of the SEC's best backs and often turned runs that were going nowhere into positive yardage. Of course, he was also capable of making the big plays on the ground. Yes, USC returns several guys at the position but as we know it only takes one or two injuries at this spot to turn things into a question mark. Wilds is a good player, but he hasn't been healthy for an entire season so far. Carson has one hundred-yard game to his credit during his career, and Williams has talent but still is not what one would call "battle-tested." While USC's running back pledges from the 2015 class are good prospects, the Gamecocks wouldn't want to count heavily on true freshmen that will have only been on campus for a couple months in the event of injury. USC also has some questions along the offensive line next season that could have an effect on this group ability to run with consistent success.
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
Reasons for optimism: USC has had plenty of playmakers at receiver lately and several have left before eligibility expired for the NFL Draft. This season, USC won't lose a receiver early to the draft but will lose three guys that started games this season. The steady Nick Jones will not be around after graduating, ditto for speedy option Damiere Byrd. Shaq Roland also recently left the program and may transfer to another school for his final season. All three are losses for various reasons, but USC has guys available that can play next season. Pharoh Cooper showed this season that he's one of the top playmakers in the country at receiver and he will be the top option there in 2015. Two new starters will be broken in, but it could be argued that USC may not drop off a lot there. Gamecock fans keep waiting for KJ Brent or Shamier Jeffery to break out, and because of the roster makeup those two have not always had as many chances. Next season will be the best shot in their final go-round as Gamecocks. USC signed three receivers in the 2014 class that took redshirts this year; Deebo Samuel is someone that many in the program have spoken highly of and believe has a chance to be a strong player for USC. Terry Googer is a big-bodied receiver and Shaq Davidson also has athletic ability. Those three will have a shot to factor in next year, along with any true freshmen via USC's 2015 class. Watch out for Jalen Christian there.
At tight end, USC will not have Cody Gibson and Busta Anderson, both of whom were seniors this season. No doubt, both were key players for USC. Anderson was a receiving threat who was almost always in the game and Gibson was a strong second tight end blocking option as a converted offensive lineman. Things will look different at that spot, but USC fans can still feel good about it. Jerell Adams is a talented pass-catcher at the position. KC Crosby took a redshirt this season and he's more along the lines of a Pat DiMarco than a prototypical tight end but he can block and is very good catching the ball. Walk-on Jacob August seems like a good candidate to fill that Gibson-esque role. Two freshmen could also factor in here if needed in Connor Redmond and Kyle Markway.
Reasons for pessimism: For all of Roland's inconsistencies, won't USC miss his ability to make some big-time plays? That's very possible. Byrd was a field-stretcher for USC that could carry deep coverage and Jones was reliable as they come as a savvy veteran. USC will have two new starters at receiver and nobody is exactly proven behind them. Brent is solid and Jeffery has talent but neither has had a big career to date. The redshirt freshmen have talent, but Googer will have a learning curve in continuing to transition from high school quarterback and Davidson missed time in preseason with a knee injury. Samuel may have the most talent of the bunch, but he's going to essentially be a first-year player. The freshmen could factor in, but will of course be true freshmen. Depth is a potential question here.
The losses of Anderson and Gibson at tight end are substantial. Both were key to USC's offensive efforts in 2014 blocking and (mostly Anderson) catching the ball. The Gamecocks get Adams back, but it will just be him as opposed to the three the staff carried this past season. Crosby is going to be a good player but he's not a bigger in-line tight end like Anderson or Gibson.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Reasons for optimism: While USC loses a pair of starters from the 2014 unit, several players return. Heading into this season, it was thought that USC would probably lose right tackle Brandon Shell after the season but for a while not it has appeared he will be back for his senior campaign. That will provide an experienced and steady player at what will be the biggest question mark along the offensive line for USC, which is tackle. Mason Zandi and D.J. Park figure to be in the mix for another offensive tackle spot. Neither has a wealth of experience, but both have some talent if it can be put together during the offseason and spring football. Park has shown flashes in practice when he plays with an aggressive attitude and Zandi is a very good athlete for his size. Mike Matulis started his career at tackle and could figure in the equation there as well if USC opted to go that route. He's talented, but has had injuries derail his progress during his career. If USC can remain healthy and develop the other guys, the drop-off may not be that substantial for 2015 at tackle.
While USC loses A.J. Cann at left guard and he will be tough to replace, several players that have seen the field return at guard and center for USC next season. The aforementioned Matulis was slated to start in 2014 at right guard for USC, so that gives the Gamecocks some flexibility inside as well if he remains inside. Cody Waldrop was also injured most of the season and if he's back healthy, that gives USC another option at one of the guard spots and a guy that has experience. Redshirt freshman Donell Stanley is talented and made strides in the weight room and on the field during his redshirt season in 2014. Center Alan Knott figures to have a leg up on the race to win the center job as a redshirt sophomore and will have the benefit of an offseason to pack on some more weight. Will Sport entered 2014 as a backup and ended up starting several games, which will only help him going forward.
Reasons for pessimism: Cann was the best player along the line for USC at his guard spot, was a rock for this group and also played his final game against Miami on Saturday. Simply put, there is nobody on the roster with his talent level or experience. USC has some players that have a chance to be good inside in time, but will any of them be ready to man a spot and be able to give USC what it had with Cann the past few seasons? A couple of guys that were counted on to play guard this season for USC in Waldrop and Matulis have unfortunately often had injuries during their careers. If either is injured again next season, the picture may not look as good inside as it did even in 2014. We saw that the line took a step back after those two went down with injuries this season.
Even though Corey Robinson was inconsistent in his final year, USC doesn't have a proven guy it can plug in to the important left tackle spot. The overall depth at tackle is not the prettiest picture for USC either. Park played in eight games this season and Zandi played in all 13, but most of that work came on special teams. Neither of those players has seen substantial action in key game situations. The loss of potential instant impact junior college transfer Paris Palmer hurts, as he could have manned a starting spot. It's doubtful that redshirt freshman Malik Young will be ready as soon as next season, and it's not ideal to count on freshmen from the 2015 recruiting class if at all possible. USC will not be able to afford to have injuries at this position.
QUARTERBACK
Reasons for optimism: There will not be a Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson on the roster next season, but if the Gamecock staff plays its cards right perhaps the situation is actually better than it looks on the surface. Connor Mitch has not played a lot during his career but can make the throws required in the offense. Having the opportunity to take the reins as the number one quarterback will help with his preparation, focus, and readiness. Pharoh Cooper could factor in more if needed as an option at quarterback, as he has shown he can run the ball and even throw it when under center and give USC a different dimension. USC has also told current verbal commitment Lorenzo Nunez to get prepared as if he may play some next season. He will not be ready to take hold of the entire offense, but using his athleticism in spots would be a welcome addition to the offense's arsenal. USC could also lean on the running game with several current roster members returning to the fold, which should aid in the transition in breaking in a new starter.
Reasons for pessimism: 7 for 16 for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That's the numbers that returning players on the roster next season at this key position put up in 2014. The two touchdown passes came from wide receiver Cooper, two incompletions were thrown by walk-on Perry Orth, and expected starter Mitch only played late against Furman and South Alabama. USC will also have redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia available along with Nunez from the 2015 class. USC does not have the luxury of a proven starter returning, nor a fifth-year senior taking over for an established player like Dylan Thompson did for Connor Shaw this year. If Mitch was not as strong as needed or went down with injury, would USC feel good about the backups? If USC plays Cooper at quarterback more, does that not take away a playmaker at receiver? These are fair questions. The experience is not there and that's always a concern at a position like quarterback even if the presumed starter has talent.
RUNNING BACK
Reasons for optimism: Mike Davis will not be in the Garnet and Black next season, but USC returns everyone else from the 2014 version of this corps. Brandon Wilds has played a lot of football in Columbia and shown that when healthy, he is capable of carrying the load. Shon Carson came on and had some nice runs this season, and David Williams will be the most naturally talented back on the roster next year. All three played in 2014, and all three can help. If needed, USC could also turn to a freshman in Mon Denson or AJ Turner from the 2015 class in the event of injury or if either proves good enough to help some. Even without the dynamic Davis on campus next season, USC still has some depth and talent at this spot and the guys that are on the roster all have different and unique skill sets. There is some speed, some power, and some wiggle to go around.
Reasons for pessimism: Don't discount the loss of Davis here. He's been one of the SEC's best backs and often turned runs that were going nowhere into positive yardage. Of course, he was also capable of making the big plays on the ground. Yes, USC returns several guys at the position but as we know it only takes one or two injuries at this spot to turn things into a question mark. Wilds is a good player, but he hasn't been healthy for an entire season so far. Carson has one hundred-yard game to his credit during his career, and Williams has talent but still is not what one would call "battle-tested." While USC's running back pledges from the 2015 class are good prospects, the Gamecocks wouldn't want to count heavily on true freshmen that will have only been on campus for a couple months in the event of injury. USC also has some questions along the offensive line next season that could have an effect on this group ability to run with consistent success.
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
Reasons for optimism: USC has had plenty of playmakers at receiver lately and several have left before eligibility expired for the NFL Draft. This season, USC won't lose a receiver early to the draft but will lose three guys that started games this season. The steady Nick Jones will not be around after graduating, ditto for speedy option Damiere Byrd. Shaq Roland also recently left the program and may transfer to another school for his final season. All three are losses for various reasons, but USC has guys available that can play next season. Pharoh Cooper showed this season that he's one of the top playmakers in the country at receiver and he will be the top option there in 2015. Two new starters will be broken in, but it could be argued that USC may not drop off a lot there. Gamecock fans keep waiting for KJ Brent or Shamier Jeffery to break out, and because of the roster makeup those two have not always had as many chances. Next season will be the best shot in their final go-round as Gamecocks. USC signed three receivers in the 2014 class that took redshirts this year; Deebo Samuel is someone that many in the program have spoken highly of and believe has a chance to be a strong player for USC. Terry Googer is a big-bodied receiver and Shaq Davidson also has athletic ability. Those three will have a shot to factor in next year, along with any true freshmen via USC's 2015 class. Watch out for Jalen Christian there.
At tight end, USC will not have Cody Gibson and Busta Anderson, both of whom were seniors this season. No doubt, both were key players for USC. Anderson was a receiving threat who was almost always in the game and Gibson was a strong second tight end blocking option as a converted offensive lineman. Things will look different at that spot, but USC fans can still feel good about it. Jerell Adams is a talented pass-catcher at the position. KC Crosby took a redshirt this season and he's more along the lines of a Pat DiMarco than a prototypical tight end but he can block and is very good catching the ball. Walk-on Jacob August seems like a good candidate to fill that Gibson-esque role. Two freshmen could also factor in here if needed in Connor Redmond and Kyle Markway.
Reasons for pessimism: For all of Roland's inconsistencies, won't USC miss his ability to make some big-time plays? That's very possible. Byrd was a field-stretcher for USC that could carry deep coverage and Jones was reliable as they come as a savvy veteran. USC will have two new starters at receiver and nobody is exactly proven behind them. Brent is solid and Jeffery has talent but neither has had a big career to date. The redshirt freshmen have talent, but Googer will have a learning curve in continuing to transition from high school quarterback and Davidson missed time in preseason with a knee injury. Samuel may have the most talent of the bunch, but he's going to essentially be a first-year player. The freshmen could factor in, but will of course be true freshmen. Depth is a potential question here.
The losses of Anderson and Gibson at tight end are substantial. Both were key to USC's offensive efforts in 2014 blocking and (mostly Anderson) catching the ball. The Gamecocks get Adams back, but it will just be him as opposed to the three the staff carried this past season. Crosby is going to be a good player but he's not a bigger in-line tight end like Anderson or Gibson.
