B
Brian Shoemaker
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This is from today's Gamecock Nation Today. What do you think?
2. Three objectives for spring practice
Find a left tackle. With the return of starters Donell Stanley, Sadarius Hutcherson and Dylan Wonnum on the offensive line - plus a nucleus of young talents recruited by Eric Wolford - South Carolina's offensive line should be in good shape for the foreseeable future. The biggest question: Who takes over at left tackle? Here's guessing that Wonnum and his excellent athleticism gets a long look on the left side after taking over at right tackle midway through last season
Continue to tweak the scheme on offense. South Carolina's new offensive scheme under the direction of first-year playcaller Bryan McClendon showed signs of absolute brilliance last season. But there were also long periods of stagnant play with six straight shutout quarters to end the season. McClendon loses Swiss Army Knife playmaker Deebo Samuel but has veterans to work with. The Gamecocks will need to continue to tweak their approach towards a more consistent output with a daunting schedule on deck.
Bring along the newbies on defense. South Carolina's defensive front will receive an influx of talent this spring with Zacch Pickens, Joe Anderson, Rodricus Fitten and Devontae Davis already on campus to go through spring practice. The question on everyone's mind: How quickly can the five-star Pickens push for a starting position at defensive end? But it's not just Pickens who will have a chance to play early as all four newbies will have the chance to show what they can do.
The defensive back position is clearly a bigger question, but answering that will have to wait until the summer when Cam Smith, Jammie Robinson, Johnny Dixon and Shilo Sanders arrive to boost the position.
– Wes Mitchell
