Projecting the Gamecocks’ 2019 depth chart as spring practice wraps
With spring practice over, it’s time to take a shot at South Carolina’s post-spring depth chart.
Quarterback
No. 1: Jake Bentley
No. 2: Ryan Hilinski
No. 3: Dakereon Joyner
The staff has been clear that Bentley is the guy until otherwise proven. Perhaps that happens with a fantastic offseason and August camp from Hilinski and more inconsistency from Bentley. But for the moment, a 2 1/2 year starter who posted one of the most prolific seasons in program history is likely to hold onto that spot until games are played.
The one to watch: Hilinski. He mostly worked the short game during the spring game, but he’s accurate and learning the playbook at a rapid rate.
Running backs
No. 1: Rico Dowdle
No. 2: Mon Denson
No. 3: A.J. Turner
Dowdle didn’t spend much time in the spring without the non-contact jersey on. But he’s still a guy who’s been given chance after chance to take the job, and it’s not as if someone has jumped up and taken it. Denson is solid and showed flashes, and none of the three young runners showed quite enough to prevent Turner from being a primary tailback next spring. Kevin Harris had moments and got credit from coaches and teammates, but it remains to be seen what kind of rotation role he can have. The Gamecocks want two top tailbacks, and the old hands still feel somewhat entrenched.
The one to watch: Harris. He showed some pop here and there in spring and might bring the tackle-breaking ability the staff desperately wants. He’ll have to have a big rest of the offseason to get one of those top top spots.
Wide receiver
No. 1s: Bryan Edwards, Shi Smith, OrTre Smith
No. 2s: Chad Terrell, Randrecous Davis, Josh Vann
It’s another position where injuries limited folks, notably Edwards late and OtTre Smith for most of spring. Edwards and Shi Smith are guaranteed starters, and if OrTre Smith’s knee is right, he’s got a better track record than anyone else. Vann, Davis and Terrell each got a lot of work in spring, but it’s not clear if any made a move to become starters in spring. (Vann, the most talented, was mostly a short option in the spring game.) The big question here is all about the summer enrollees, when four-star Keveon Mullins, late riser Xavier Legette and prep school product Tyquan Johnson join the fray.
The one to watch: Outside the summer guys, Vann. He’s among the more talented receivers they have and admitted his first year left a lot to be desired.
Tight ends
No. 1s: Kiel Pollard and Kyle Markway
No. 2s: KeShawn Toney and Evan Hinson
Pollard seems as if he’s taken the lead at the position coming into his fourth season in the program. Markway appears to be the natural successor to Jacob August as the bigger blocker. Toney showed the staff a lot in spring with his effort and approach. As a true freshman, he got snaps ahead of Hinson, who missed parts of spring because of his basketball schedule, and Will Register, who the staff wants to see more from in terms of blocking. There’s not much to take from Traevon Kenion, who might be the most talented but missed the first half of the semester.
One to watch: A lot of options with Toney, Kenion and Hinson, but once more this is Hinson. He gave up basketball this offseason, but he’s running out of time to become a well-rounded enough player to take advantage of his considerable play-making potential.
Offensive line
LT
No. 1: Sadarius Hutcherson
No. 2: Jordon Carty
LG
No. 1: Donell Stanley
No. 2: Jordan Rhodes
C
No. 1: Hank Manos
No. 2: Chandler Ferrell
RG
No. 1: Jovaughn Gwyn
No. 2: Eric Douglas
RT
No. 1: Dylan Wonnum
No. 2: Jaylen Nichols
The Gamecocks came into the spring with what seemed like four settled positions, and that was before Gwyn came back from injury in and immediately started with first-team reps at guard. If that group holds, the more interesting battles are going to be for the backup spots. Eric Douglas can play pretty much everywhere, so the question is where will he be most needed (probably at guard, maybe at left tackle). Nichols was a surprise with how quickly he rose up the depth chart, and if his progress is an indication, he could well be the next in line when one of the tackles moves on. This group will also get a healthy injection of freshmen come summer.
One to watch: Gwyn. The staff wants eight guys, and Nichols and Douglas give some pieces as they try to build toward that. But Gwyn is a redshirt freshman and seemed to step right in after getting back from an injury that cost him most of last season.
Defensive end
No. 1: Kingsley Enagbare
No. 2: Aaron Sterling
Sterling is the returning starter from last season, but his run was marred by injuries and up-and-down play. Muschamp praised Enagbare multiple times through spring, and he did work in the spring game against a backup tackle. Enagbare is just more sturdy and is coming off a year playing tackle. With his talent, expect him to eventually find his way into starting. Defensive tackle Keir Thomas might also spend some time here.
One to watch: Joseph Anderson. The big freshman is talented and showed some pop as an edge player.
Defensive tackle
No. 1s: Javon Kinlaw and Kobe Smith
No. 2s: Keir Thomas and Rick Sandidge
No. 3s: Zacch Pickens and Jabari Ellis
The Gamecocks suddenly have an army of options and will likely be playing most of them when it’s all said and done. Kinlaw and Thomas missed or played sparingly this spring, but both will have roles, as will Smith. Muschamp talked up Sandidge through spring, and his first year in the trenches in 2018 should serve him well. Pickens is a top-flight recruit, so he could well end up getting a lot of work if the light comes on. Junior college lineman Devontae Davis also joins the group. Last season, the Gamecocks opened the season with true freshman as their No. 4 and 5 options at tackle. At worst they’ll enter 2019 with the same top four, all a year older, plus a top-10 national recruit in the mix.
One to watch: Pickens. He’s a five-star guy, potentially a game-changer when he realizes his talent. It just depends how soon that happens.
Buck
No. 1: D.J. Wonnum
No. 2: Brad Johnson
This group has been the same coming into the season the past two years, give or take Bryson Allen-Williams moonlighting. Wonnum is back from injury. If he is healthy, he’s a difference-making defensive player. Johnson has been steady and had moments in two seasons, but hasn’t done enough to become a full-time option at the position.
One to watch: Rodricus Fitten. He isn’t the biggest true freshman, but he’s strong. With Wonnum almost assuredly departing next season, he’ll be one of the options to fill in here.
Middle linebacker
No. 1: T.J. Brunson
No. 2: Ernest Jones
Brunson didn’t play all spring, but it’s hard to imagine he won’t be the guy come the fall. Jones showed some flashes in limited work last season, as he eschewed a redshirt to play in the bowl game. Derek Boykins came in this spring and delivered as a thumper, especially in the spring game. Considering the workload Brunson had last season, it’s likely someone could step in and reduce his snaps a bit.
One to watch: Boykins. He’s big, fast and mobile. Last year’s freshmen had trouble breaking through, so it remains to be seen if this one will.
Weakside linebacker
No. 1: Sherrod Greene
No. 2: Damani Staley
Last season was certainly one where Greene looked like a sophomore taking on his first starting action. At times he was in position but needed to just finish a few more plays. The thing is, there isn’t much in the way of reinforcements so natural progression might have to suffice. The coaches spoke well of the steps Staley took in his second year. They’re adding a freshman in Jahmar Brown, but he’s not the biggest guy at under 200 pounds. He’s dynamic, and USC isn’t that far removed from an undersized ‘backer wreaking havoc as a freshman (Skai Moore).
One to watch: Staley for the moment. He’s got some ability and showed flashes while transitioning from defensive end. Brown has potential, but might be too much of a wildcard right now.
Strongside linebacker
No. 1: Daniel Fennell
No. 2: Rosendo Louis
The staff has long liked what Fennell delivers in terms of flexibility and heft when opponents go with an extra back or tight end. A knee injury kept him out in spring, but it’s unlikely he’ll lose too much ground. Louis likewise was hurt and is looking to bounce back after a freshman year that fell short of expectations. The position is a bit of a part-time thing, as it usually gets replaced by a nickel against the majority of offenses. Almost everyone here will have another secondary position. Eldridge Thompson also spent some time there in the summer.
One to watch: Louis. The staff talked up him a lot last summer, but he ended up playing sparingly.
Corner
No. 1s: Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu
No. 2s: TBA
So one or two freshmen are going to have to be factors here. Horn and Mukuamu have a lot of ability and could be backbones for this defense. But in spring, the guys behind them were assorted walk-ons. Four-star Cam Smith and intriguing recruit John Dixon will both be options in the fall; Shilo Sanders could be as well.
One to watch: Smith will be the obvious one. He was supposed to be in for spring. He’s tall, long and showed out in an all-star setting. Of the guys on campus, go with Horn because he could well be an All-SEC guy next year.
Nickel
No. 1: R.J. Roderick
No. 2: Horn
It’s a new position for Roderick, but he fits what the staff wants in terms of a bigger guy who can be a force in the run game but also work in coverage. He was bouncing between safety and nickel in the spring game (USC’s numbers on the back end are a mess), and the hope is he can stay at this spot. If not, it might fall to Horn, who played there last year, or incoming recruit Jammie Robinson.
One to watch: Roderick. He’s two years removed from playing quarterback and stepping into a high-leverage spot. He’s got the speed and hitting ability the coaches want, but will he stay there?
Safety
No. 1s: J.T. Ibe and Jamyest Williams
No. 2s: Jaylin Dickerson and Jamel Cook
Through the spring, Muschamp has seemed more and more confident in Ibe, despite a rocky run when healthy last season. He also identified Williams’ health as a key factor in being able to keep Roderick down at nickel. Dickerson has showed promise at points but has rarely been fully healthy. Cook has shown flashes and has a lot of talent, but Muschamp took him to task for both effort and getting on top of the scheme. Jonathan Gipson missed much of spring with a minor knee injury. One or two of the freshmen could help as well.
One to watch: Cook. If he puts it all together, he could give USC a difference-maker at the position. To this point, the best safety Muschamp has had was Chris Lammons, a converted corner who was eminently solid.