W
Wes Mitchell
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With one scrimmage out of the way and South Carolina now deep into its third week of preseason practice, the starters at most of the positions are already starting to come into focus with another big scrimmage on Saturday night that will help determine the rest of the positions battles.
While I think the starters on defense are fairly set (check out my projected starters there if you haven't already), I still think there are some positions to be decided on offense. But I'll do my best to sort through where things are.
Quarterback
Collin Hill
For most of the preseason, I've had the feeling that Hill would be the guy in the end due to the feedback I've heard on his combination of arm talent and knowledge of the system. With exactly three weeks until the Gamecocks opener, the QB battle is ongoing and it can’t be overlooked that it's Ryan Hilinski who was the player of the day in the scrimmage Saturday according to Will Muschamp.
I'll say it the way we have said it on the podcast, if Hilinski beats out Hill than he will have certainly earned it and it will mean he's taken his game to another level. The Gamecocks will begin their Tennessee prep in about 10 or 11 days and the staff hopes to know a starter by then, which should make for an interesting week and a half.
Running back
RB Kevin Harris
FB Adam Prentice
ZaQuandre White remains the X-factor here, but Muschamp confirmed Thursday that he has a hamstring injury. I've also confirmed that White has already missed quite a bit of time and that he missed last week's scrimmage too, answering the question some had, of why Muschamp only mentioned the three running backs following that scrimmage. Carolina hopes White can get back next week, but he's going to need reps in the scheme and obviously can't rush back an injury like that, which tend to linger.
As I've said before, Rashad Amos probably has the most ability of the three who are currently healthy, but Muschamp has said he needs to protect the ball more and Bobo said today he needs to "grow up" more. Bobo also said that Deshaun Fenwick has the ability to play in this league but needs to keep his confidence up.
Throw in the fact that Bobo said he needs the position to be consistent and then mentioned that word regarding Harris, and that I've heard he's been getting a lot of first team reps, and Harris is probably the projected starter at the beginning of the year, with the potential of any of the other three guys to take that spot depending on the on-field performance.
Adam Prentice is the clear starting fullback.
Wide receiver
Shi Smith
Xavier Legette
Jalen Brooks
No surprises here as Muschamp has said as much and reiterated it a couple of times. Obviously the big question here is whether the NCAA will grant Brooks a waiver to play right away. If that happens, then these are your three starters.
There's an interesting battle ongoing for the backup slots and right now I think you probably have four guys - Luke Doty, Rico Powers, Dakereon Joyner, and Josh Vann - battling it out for those three spots. By all indications, those seven guys make up your receiver rotation.
There have been some explosive plays from this position and some progress, but it remains a major question, and one where consistency is needed.
Tight end
Nick Muse
Muse seems to be the clear starter here with a big battle behind him for the backup spots at tight end. Bobo has talked about not asking players to do things that they aren't comfortable with and with the various skillsets you have among the backups, I think you could see multiple guys get opportunities here.
Will Register has had his best camp since getting to South Carolina and is probably the next in line here and has the size that's needed in this scheme. Keveon Mullins can be used in some mismatch situations in the passing game and I expect Keshawn Toney will play some too.
Offensive line
LT Jaz Turnetine
LG Sadarius Hutcherson
C Eric Douglas
RG Jovaughn Gwyn
RT Dylan Wonnum
With Douglas seemingly locking down the starting center spot, this is basically the starting group that's been touted for most of the offseason.
Nichols has been getting some first-team work with the right tackles with Wonnum sliding over to left tackle, but it remains to be seen if that's a potential lineup or just them testing out contingency plans.
Either way, it seems Nichols would likely be the next in line at tackle. On the interior, getting Jordan Rhodes back will provide some depth and starting experience once he's able to get back into game shape. That will take some time but could pay dividends down the road.
At center, Hank Manos and Vinny Murphy continue to also rotate in with Murphy also getting reps at guard.
While I think the starters on defense are fairly set (check out my projected starters there if you haven't already), I still think there are some positions to be decided on offense. But I'll do my best to sort through where things are.
Quarterback
Collin Hill
For most of the preseason, I've had the feeling that Hill would be the guy in the end due to the feedback I've heard on his combination of arm talent and knowledge of the system. With exactly three weeks until the Gamecocks opener, the QB battle is ongoing and it can’t be overlooked that it's Ryan Hilinski who was the player of the day in the scrimmage Saturday according to Will Muschamp.
I'll say it the way we have said it on the podcast, if Hilinski beats out Hill than he will have certainly earned it and it will mean he's taken his game to another level. The Gamecocks will begin their Tennessee prep in about 10 or 11 days and the staff hopes to know a starter by then, which should make for an interesting week and a half.
Running back
RB Kevin Harris
FB Adam Prentice
ZaQuandre White remains the X-factor here, but Muschamp confirmed Thursday that he has a hamstring injury. I've also confirmed that White has already missed quite a bit of time and that he missed last week's scrimmage too, answering the question some had, of why Muschamp only mentioned the three running backs following that scrimmage. Carolina hopes White can get back next week, but he's going to need reps in the scheme and obviously can't rush back an injury like that, which tend to linger.
As I've said before, Rashad Amos probably has the most ability of the three who are currently healthy, but Muschamp has said he needs to protect the ball more and Bobo said today he needs to "grow up" more. Bobo also said that Deshaun Fenwick has the ability to play in this league but needs to keep his confidence up.
Throw in the fact that Bobo said he needs the position to be consistent and then mentioned that word regarding Harris, and that I've heard he's been getting a lot of first team reps, and Harris is probably the projected starter at the beginning of the year, with the potential of any of the other three guys to take that spot depending on the on-field performance.
Adam Prentice is the clear starting fullback.
Wide receiver
Shi Smith
Xavier Legette
Jalen Brooks
No surprises here as Muschamp has said as much and reiterated it a couple of times. Obviously the big question here is whether the NCAA will grant Brooks a waiver to play right away. If that happens, then these are your three starters.
There's an interesting battle ongoing for the backup slots and right now I think you probably have four guys - Luke Doty, Rico Powers, Dakereon Joyner, and Josh Vann - battling it out for those three spots. By all indications, those seven guys make up your receiver rotation.
There have been some explosive plays from this position and some progress, but it remains a major question, and one where consistency is needed.
Tight end
Nick Muse
Muse seems to be the clear starter here with a big battle behind him for the backup spots at tight end. Bobo has talked about not asking players to do things that they aren't comfortable with and with the various skillsets you have among the backups, I think you could see multiple guys get opportunities here.
Will Register has had his best camp since getting to South Carolina and is probably the next in line here and has the size that's needed in this scheme. Keveon Mullins can be used in some mismatch situations in the passing game and I expect Keshawn Toney will play some too.
Offensive line
LT Jaz Turnetine
LG Sadarius Hutcherson
C Eric Douglas
RG Jovaughn Gwyn
RT Dylan Wonnum
With Douglas seemingly locking down the starting center spot, this is basically the starting group that's been touted for most of the offseason.
Nichols has been getting some first-team work with the right tackles with Wonnum sliding over to left tackle, but it remains to be seen if that's a potential lineup or just them testing out contingency plans.
Either way, it seems Nichols would likely be the next in line at tackle. On the interior, getting Jordan Rhodes back will provide some depth and starting experience once he's able to get back into game shape. That will take some time but could pay dividends down the road.
At center, Hank Manos and Vinny Murphy continue to also rotate in with Murphy also getting reps at guard.
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