“If only we had some talent returning on this FB team”.. Do we?

[Gamecock Lifer]

After 6 wins over two years, the assumption seems to be we have virtually no talent... Let’a take a look-
offense:
QB- Luke Doty- one of the best dual threat recruits in his cycle with experience from last year. Showed promise at times but had little to work with at WR. Kind of an unknown still.

Brown- FCS AA, looks like he is a player- can he do it in the SEC? Backup? Challenge for starter? Unknown! Tons of potential...

Gauthier- 4* frosh, likely RS.

RB- Lloyd and Harris- possibly one of the best duos in the SEC/nation?

WR- was a complete LIABILITY last year and most of the year before... we are getting a boost from Davis and Ortre returning IF they are healthy...
added WR from Ga Tech who broke Megatron’s freshman receptions record, 6-8 transfer coming with the QB from FCS who has been a stud at the college level, and Omega Blake- 4A POY who looks like a stud! Outlook is much more positive than last year IMO!

TE- our two best are returning. Muse is good.. NM.

OL- returning all but one starter from aunit that produced an SEC regular season rushing champ with over 1100 yards in 10 games. Pass blocking was a challenge at times but how much was QBs making poor decisions and WRs not getting open vs poor blocking?

Defense- was an absolute DISASTER at every level!! No way they could be any good... Right? Probably not... However...

DL/ hybrid- two young 5* guys along the line who have shown flashes but were not starters last year due to upperclassmen being entrenched ahead of them. Can they take a step forward? Enagbare- SEC sack leader returning... added the NCAA sack leader from last year via transfer... AND a MONSTER DT transfer from Neb... Promising? I think so!

LB- was AWFUL last year, the only LB who could tackle left to go pro and we have only added one via transfer I believe who was a first year guy and did not play... Added a 4* JUCO- we better hope Bam can play! 😬

DB- Yikes! Lost our two best to the pros... These supposed studs however produced one good game last year and the defensive backfield was a liability all year with or without them... We do get Roderick back, added a few guys via transfer and recruiting, but I expect massive struggles at this position, AGAIN.

We do not know much about STs with some new specialists and a new coordinator... complete unknown.

Overall- I was surprised by the amount of talent we appear to have on iffense suddenly and the DL has a shot to be very good! 15-0, NC? No fn way... A decent team that can show improvement and make a bowl- totally possible IMO!

 

[92Pony]

Good post. I’m already slipping into my annual optimism for the upcoming fb season. What can I say; I’m a glutton. 😉

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Good post. I’m already slipping into my annual optimism for the upcoming fb season. What can I say; I’m a glutton. 😉

I don’t know how optimistic I am- I think we all know there will be some bumps in the road to recovery... But we have talent. If we can find some WRs who get open and CATCH THE FB- I believe the QB and OL play will suddenly miraculously improve. We simply did not have that other than Shi last year. Once he got hurt, there was a completely barren landscape of guys who could not get open and dropped the ball way to often if a pass got to them. Mullens at TE showed some promise last year but, of course, he too got injured... I want to see what Beamer can do with him. He has had tons of experience and success coaching that position at Ou.

 

[gr8spur]

I agree with your assessment. We should field a strong running game, with a mobile QB. A defense that has some potential up front, but will likely struggle in pass coverage. I've been saying 4-6 wins is the goal. I'm looking forward to seeing how our OL and ST do, with what I believe were upgrades in coaching. I'm excited. Go Cocks!

 

[Flameout12]

... the assumption seems to be we have virtually no talent...

Says who? Where do you get this from?

 

[gr8spur]

And Harris is a STUD! If Lloyd turns out to be as good as advertised, we might have something really special in the run game. We shall see.

 

[gr8spur]

Says who? Where do you get this from?

There's been quite a bit of negativity about the returning roster, the current recruiting class, and skepticism over some of the coaching hires. I think he gets it from this board.

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Says who? Where do you get this from?

From about 75% of the posts I have seen regarding our team and recruiting over the past two years.

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

There's been quite a bit of negativity about the returning roster, the current recruiting class, and skepticism over some of the coaching hires. I think he gets it from this board.

Yeah... I would post some quotes but they can be easily found in literally every single thread...

 

[viennacocks]

In my opinion, a successful season is going to depend on 3 positions. I worry about the last two more than the first. If we have an average sesson at these three positions, we have a winning record.

- receivers
- LB
- DB

 

[drawplay000]

Says who? Where do you get this from?

Everywhere ...teams with the least talent in the sec ..last is vandy...and a toss up between sc.arkansas and Tennessee...not hard to find

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Oh boy, here we go with the annual pre-spring optimistic preview of current talent, followed by the overly optimistic overview of the team/staff based on the spring game, followed by the mid- season, self-flagellation of getting lured in once again.

 

[Swagcocky]

We have plenty of talent, now can we take what we added per transfer and develop that talent is what we don't know. This is what Muschamp and crew couldn't do is develop once we got them.

 

[Swagcocky]

I will tell you what I do like is Debo I've seen in the weight room a lot and the kid from Georgia Southern has already put on 20lbs of good weight since he has been on campus. Sounds like we are headed in the right direction.

 

[Flameout12]

From about 75% of the posts I have seen regarding our team and recruiting over the past two years.

So did you do some research on this?
The last 2 years you were on here telling us how great Muschamp was.

 

[Flameout12]

Everywhere ...teams with the least talent in the sec ..last is vandy...and a toss up between sc.arkansas and Tennessee...not hard to find

Please....tell us more. You can dispute the OP....give it a go.

 

[Areukidding1]

2020 composite talent ranking was 21. They didn’t all leave.

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Oh boy, here we go with the annual pre-spring optimistic preview of current talent, followed by the overly optimistic overview of the team/staff based on the spring game, followed by the mid- season, self-flagellation of getting lured in once again.

What was so optimistic? Was anything said thus far and unfair evaluation of our current state?

 

[Dizzy01]

While you can argue the merits of the recruiting ranking systems Muschamp and Spurrier recruiting at very similar levels. The difference in end results goes back to coaching. I don’t believe there is a big lack of talent but the lack of development may be a lot to overcome.

 

[carolinamyke]

What was so optimistic? Was anything said thus far and unfair evaluation of our current state?

You were only pointing out things but as always you will quickly get ridiculous comments like the response you got from that poster. Never fails

 

[carolinamyke]

I know it’s all wait and see but if Ortre and R Davis are truly back healthy this year / can play like they have shown they are capable of then we can have improvement in the WR group .
Ortre , Davis , Brown, Jenkins , Brooks , Legette , and hopefully a true freshman Like Omega can make an impact
Better coaching and QB play is a factor but hopefully the WR group makes a step forward.

 

[section2cock]

I think Beamer addressed many needs this recruiting cycle, especially through the transfer portal, known among players as "the tranny". Add Sam Reynolds to potential threats at WR. Dude is a baller.

 

[NMB Dave]

Good post. I’m already slipping into my annual optimism for the upcoming fb season. What can I say; I’m a glutton. 😉

Lol. This describes me almost every year. I don’t have the annual optimism yet. The muschamp era really took a toll on me. I suspect I’ll be optimistic come summer though.

 

[Flameout12]

Better coaching and QB play is a factor but hopefully the WR group makes a step forward.

I have more confidence in our current WR coach than his predecessors.
But as always, the QB will be the key.
Can Doty or other QB play well enough to win us 5-6 games?

 

[JGH 35]

The topic thread does not ask how much talent we have, but how much talent do we have returning. "Returning" is the operative word. We don't know exactly how much talent we have coming in at this point. It is all speculation on either end - good or bad. As far as returning talent we do have a pretty good idea. Considering most our best talent from last year is gone, the answer is we don't have much returning. We had only one quality SEC caliber LB last year and he graduated. We only had one quality WR last year and he has left early for the pros. Our best Dlineman has transferred off of a unit that did not perform well last year. We lost virtually all our defensive backfield due to various means, and we only have one QB of the top three returning. Other than at RB, we don't have a lot of SEC quality talent returning.

 

[coolcock2001]

"I led the SEC in rushing last year and I'm getting my braces off this year. Watch out."

 

[JayWillUSC]

QBs - We consistently bring in 4* guys but don't get the results we have expected from 4s guys. Maybe a new system under the new staff will improve our QB play? Not hanging my hat on it.

RBs - I liked what I saw under Brown with Feaster & Dowdle. I liked what I saw under Kitchins w/ Harris & Fenwick. I have little reason to doubt Hardesty would do poorly with Harris and Lloyd

WRs - Shi is gone but just because he was the best on the roster didn't mean he was superstar. That being said it still sucks to lose your best and the rest of the 4* guys look overrated... and that is me just being polite.

OL - can run block consistently enough to have a 1000 yard rb... but pass blocking is questionable at best and makes me wonder if we have enough QBs on the depth chart.

DL - I feel like we could be really solid here. On paper the talent is there but will the production match it? I do think 4-2-5 scheme will help us out in the long run.

LB - I feel like we always have like 1 LB that is head and shoulders above the rest even when the LB is an average player. We need to improve here and because having a scheme with fewer LBs will be nice for countering depth issues, but I'm sure having a 2 LB scheme will make it tougher on our LBs.

DBs - maybe we have been spoiled for too long but I still feels like we were trying to claim SC as DBU yesterday. maybe we still can be DBU just not on saturdays. During the season you would think it can't be worse... But you look at it now and it probably is worse. If we can generate pressure that will help but I see lots of big plays through the air this season. Safety play at SC is arguably the worst it has been since the 90's??

 

[Gradstudent]

I expect our special teams to be dramatically improved, Pete Lembo is head and tails better then Hutzler and Krantz and we have a head coach that has coached it and emphasizes it.

FYI Hutzler is back in the SEC at Ole Miss for 2021

 

[Gradstudent]

we are getting a boost from Davis and Ortre returning IF they are healthy...

I guess Davis has always been hurt but even when he played he never looked that impressive to me and never that productive, probably due to a accumulation of all the injuries, but I see a lot of people expecting big things from him, based on what exactly?

He has missed the last 2 seasons right? Will the time off help him?

But before that in 3 seasons he has played in 19 games has 12 catches for 123 yards and a td.

I don't expect much from him, now EJ Jenkins, I do expect a lot! Based on his size, speed,film, and production at lower level, I think he can impact.

I still think Xavier Legette can develop into a productive SEC level WR as well.

Josh Vann, he can get open, just needs to get that confidence making the catch consistently, hopefully better coaching is what he needs.

Like special teams I think we have the best WR position coach we have had in some time, now in place.

 

[TheReelEss]

Optimism abounds every offseason. I'll just be cautiously optimistic. If we win 5 and aren't continuously blowing both our own feet off I won't complain...much.

 

[TheReelEss]

I guess Davis has always been hurt but even when he played he never looked that impressive to me and never that productive, but I see a lot of people expecting big things from him, based on what exactly?

He has missed the last 2 seasons right? Will the time off help him?

But before that in 3 seasons he has played in 19 games has 12 catches for 123 yards and a td.

I don't expect much from him, now EJ Jenkins, I do expect a lot! Based on his size, speed,film, and production at lower level, I think he can impact.

I still think Xavier Legette can develop into a productive SEC level WR as well.

Josh Vann, he gets open, just needs to get that confidence making the catch consistently, hopefully better coaching is what he needs.

Like special teams I think we have the best WR position coach we have had in some time, now in place.

It did look at times as though no one is coaching the receivers.

 

[92Pony]

Poor Davis..... kid has been here 32 seasons and has been hurt 31.5 of those. I remember when he first came in - he was quick and I really had high hopes for him. I'm not getting those hopes back up though. Sadly, not for him or 18. I'm pinning any WR hopes I have on our transfers, perilous as that may be. Brown and Jenkins - lookin' at you fellers!

 

[gamecock stock]

For the past 5 years, we had a position coach as our Head Coach. That made/makes us look like a poorly talented team. I'm not saying that our talent will turn heads. But, we are not as bad off as some may think. If Shane turns out to have the coaching chops of his Dad, we will surprise people this coming season.

 

[Joe MorrisonLives]

After 6 wins over two years, the assumption seems to be we have virtually no talent... Let’a take a look-
offense:
QB- Luke Doty- one of the best dual threat recruits in his cycle with experience from last year. Showed promise at times but had little to work with at WR. Kind of an unknown still.

Brown- FCS AA, looks like he is a player- can he do it in the SEC? Backup? Challenge for starter? Unknown! Tons of potential...

Gauthier- 4* frosh, likely RS.

RB- Lloyd and Harris- possibly one of the best duos in the SEC/nation?

WR- was a complete LIABILITY last year and most of the year before... we are getting a boost from Davis and Ortre returning IF they are healthy...
added WR from Ga Tech who broke Megatron’s freshman receptions record, 6-8 transfer coming with the QB from FCS who has been a stud at the college level, and Omega Blake- 4A POY who looks like a stud! Outlook is much more positive than last year IMO!

TE- our two best are returning. Muse is good.. NM.

OL- returning all but one starter from aunit that produced an SEC regular season rushing champ with over 1100 yards in 10 games. Pass blocking was a challenge at times but how much was QBs making poor decisions and WRs not getting open vs poor blocking?

Defense- was an absolute DISASTER at every level!! No way they could be any good... Right? Probably not... However...

DL/ hybrid- two young 5* guys along the line who have shown flashes but were not starters last year due to upperclassmen being entrenched ahead of them. Can they take a step forward? Enagbare- SEC sack leader returning... added the NCAA sack leader from last year via transfer... AND a MONSTER DT transfer from Neb... Promising? I think so!

LB- was AWFUL last year, the only LB who could tackle left to go pro and we have only added one via transfer I believe who was a first year guy and did not play... Added a 4* JUCO- we better hope Bam can play! 😬

DB- Yikes! Lost our two best to the pros... These supposed studs however produced one good game last year and the defensive backfield was a liability all year with or without them... We do get Roderick back, added a few guys via transfer and recruiting, but I expect massive struggles at this position, AGAIN.

We do not know much about STs with some new specialists and a new coordinator... complete unknown.

Overall- I was surprised by the amount of talent we appear to have on iffense suddenly and the DL has a shot to be very good! 15-0, NC? No fn way... A decent team that can show improvement and make a bowl- totally possible IMO!

Problem was never CBs, off the safeties can play faster with less responsibility in an easier system, we might look better with less. Also, despite struggles his first time out, Cam played good down the stretch and built confidence, he'll bea good one before all is said and done.

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Problem was never CBs, off the safeties can play faster with less responsibility in an easier system, we might look better with less. Also, despite struggles his first time out, Cam played good down the stretch and built confidence, he'll bea good one before all is said and done.

I hope so! Cam came in highly touted but what I saw of him last year was mostly pretty rough! He did play better later. I agree about safeties- my comment was about “DBs”- encompassing both the CBs and safeties! We deffinitely beed improved play at both positions, especially TACKLING at the safety position!

 

[Joe MorrisonLives]

I hope so! Cam came in highly touted but what I saw of him last year was mostly pretty rough! He did play better later. I agree about safeties- my comment was about “DBs”- encompassing both the CBs and safeties! We deffinitely beed improved play at both positions, especially TACKLING at the safety position!

I think the tackling issue is the same as the coverage issue, not where they need to be because they have to account for too much. You can't hold the first game starting against a DB, in the nature of the production you're gonna take some licks early and can still be great later the same season.

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

I think the tackling issue is the same as the coverage issue, not where they need to be because they have to account for too much. You can't hold the first game starting against a DB, in the nature of the production you're gonna take some licks early and can still be great later the same season.

Certainly much of iur trouble can be attributed to coaching and scheme, but there were two many plays that broke big on us last year due to missed tackles... The Florida TD where their reciever ran through arm and wimpy little shoulder taps from our entire secondary and broke a 15 yard completion into like a 60+ yard TD comes to mind often when I think about our defensive woes last year...

 

[Lurker123]

Oh boy, here we go with the annual pre-spring optimistic preview of current talent, followed by the overly optimistic overview of the team/staff based on the spring game, followed by the mid- season, self-flagellation of getting lured in once again.

I thought almost those exact words when I read the OP. I'm thinking by the time the season starts, the prevailing thoughts will shift from winning 2 or 3 games to bowl eligibility and wondering which destination would be best.

We should take bets on who the first poster is to start talking about 9 wins.

Admittedly, it's the nature of every college football fanbase.

 

[JGH 35]

Oh boy, here we go with the annual pre-spring optimistic preview of current talent, followed by the overly optimistic overview of the team/staff based on the spring game, followed by the mid- season, self-flagellation of getting lured in once again.

Well, you know we have never lost a Spring Game in our history, so in some peoples' minds that is reason for optimism.

 

[atlanta cock#]

After 6 wins over two years, the assumption seems to be we have virtually no talent... Let’a take a look-
offense:
QB- Luke Doty- one of the best dual threat recruits in his cycle with experience from last year. Showed promise at times but had little to work with at WR. Kind of an unknown still.

Brown- FCS AA, looks like he is a player- can he do it in the SEC? Backup? Challenge for starter? Unknown! Tons of potential...

Gauthier- 4* frosh, likely RS.

RB- Lloyd and Harris- possibly one of the best duos in the SEC/nation?

WR- was a complete LIABILITY last year and most of the year before... we are getting a boost from Davis and Ortre returning IF they are healthy...
added WR from Ga Tech who broke Megatron’s freshman receptions record, 6-8 transfer coming with the QB from FCS who has been a stud at the college level, and Omega Blake- 4A POY who looks like a stud! Outlook is much more positive than last year IMO!

TE- our two best are returning. Muse is good.. NM.

OL- returning all but one starter from aunit that produced an SEC regular season rushing champ with over 1100 yards in 10 games. Pass blocking was a challenge at times but how much was QBs making poor decisions and WRs not getting open vs poor blocking?

Defense- was an absolute DISASTER at every level!! No way they could be any good... Right? Probably not... However...

DL/ hybrid- two young 5* guys along the line who have shown flashes but were not starters last year due to upperclassmen being entrenched ahead of them. Can they take a step forward? Enagbare- SEC sack leader returning... added the NCAA sack leader from last year via transfer... AND a MONSTER DT transfer from Neb... Promising? I think so!

LB- was AWFUL last year, the only LB who could tackle left to go pro and we have only added one via transfer I believe who was a first year guy and did not play... Added a 4* JUCO- we better hope Bam can play! 😬

DB- Yikes! Lost our two best to the pros... These supposed studs however produced one good game last year and the defensive backfield was a liability all year with or without them... We do get Roderick back, added a few guys via transfer and recruiting, but I expect massive struggles at this position, AGAIN.

We do not know much about STs with some new specialists and a new coordinator... complete unknown.

Overall- I was surprised by the amount of talent we appear to have on iffense suddenly and the DL has a shot to be very good! 15-0, NC? No fn way... A decent team that can show improvement and make a bowl- totally possible IMO!

I read something similar before basketball season this year. In fact, I seem to read something similar every year.