Gamecocks lineman again earns the title of ‘Freak’
That number that popped with South Carolina offensive lineman Sadarius Hutcherson wasn’t so much the strength, though that is considerable. It was the ability to get airborne.
The senior Gamecocks guard made his second appearance on the annual “Freaks List” compiled by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, a celebration of accomplishment an eye-popping numbers in the weight room and beyond. The coronavirus pandemic put a bit of a damper on this year’s list, but the lower body power Hutcherson showed put him at No. 36 on the list with a freakiest attribute of leaping ability.
“The Gamecocks starting left tackle for most of last season isn’t only one of the strongest men in the SEC, but the 320-pounder also has impressive athleticism as reflected by his 31.5-inch vertical jump,” Feldman wrote. “Hutcherson, a former high school tight end, also benches around 450 pounds and squats more than 600.”
Gamecocks offensive line coach Eric Wolford often pointed to vertical jump as a key skill for his offensive lineman. Ability to jump at that weight shows explosiveness, and on every running play, linemen must explode forward from their stances.
Hutcherson is entering his third full season starting and set to switch positions again.
He was recruited as a developmental player, having worked at tight end, defensive end and tackle at 230 pounds in high school. But he bulked up, starting out as a college tackle and then moving to guard heading into his second season on campus.
Hutcherson was an injury fill-in guard as a redshirt freshman, then a starter the next year. He moved out to left tackle last season, but is set to return to the interior, as the line is suddenly flush with high-potential tackles. USC returns four starters from last season, plus numerous other linemen with experience.
Hutcherson considered the NFL draft at one point this offseason, but ultimately declined the opportunity in the short term.
