9 days until the Gamecocks play: 9 players most crucial to success in 2020
In only nine days, South Carolina football will rush onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium and kick off the 2020 season against Tennessee.
It’s been a long, unusual road back for the Gamecocks following a disappointing 4-8 campaign last season. There were coaching changes, dramatic recruiting battles and even a global coronavirus pandemic disrupting things.
But come Sept. 26, the focus will be on the field, and with that in mind, let’s take a look at nine players who will likely have to excel for USC to have a successful season.
1. Collin Hill
The Gamecocks’ QB battle is officially over, and Colorado State transfer Collin Hill has managed to dethrone last year’s starter Ryan Hilinski. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s system and “NFL” arm talent impressed teammates and coaches throughout camp and built hype for the fifth-year player.
However, he’s also had three ACL tears since he started college, so durability is a concern. But given how bad South Carolina’s offense was last year — outside the top 100 of 130 teams in points per game and yards per play — an upgrade is desperately needed, and Hill could provide that.
2. Ernest Jones
Junior linebacker Ernest Jones emerged as a leader of South Carolina’s defense last season, both vocally and with his performance — a team-high 97 tackles. And the unit as a whole was solid, if inconsistent, ranking just outside the top 50 in points per game and yards per play against a ferocious schedule.
Playing Mike linebacker at the heart of the unit, Jones will be responsible for making sure everyone’s on the same page. He missed the majority of preseason camp with an appendix issue, but his knowledge of the system should allow him to step right back in and make an impact. And without NFL draft picks Javon Kinlaw and D.J. Wonnum on the defensive line, he’ll have to make plays too.
3. Shi Smith
Last year’s No. 2 option behind NFL draft choice Bryan Edwards, senior wide receiver Shi Smith has elite speed and good hands. But his production in 2019 represented a dip after a strong sophomore season. Now, he’s the undisputed top option at a position where the Gamecocks have a severe lack of experience and depth. Mike Bobo and Will Muschamp need him to step up and be a standout player and haven’t been shy about saying so.
4. Jaycee Horn
One half of South Carolina’s dynamic duo at cornerback, junior Jaycee Horn has garnered some NFL draft buzz and a preseason All-SEC selection. He’s got quite the pedigree with Pro Bowler Joe Horn as a father, and he’s been a regular part of the Gamecocks’ rotation since his freshman season. His lack of interceptions is a bit surprising, but his effectiveness as a corner is clear. Should he progress even more as a lockdown defender and chip in a few takeaways, that would be huge for a secondary that got burned at times last season by explosive plays.
Oh, and he’s in the running to be USC’s punt returner, giving him another avenue to make an impact.
5. Zaquandre White
He might not start Week 1, but running back Zaquandre White could be the key to unlocking South Carolina’s offense this fall. The top-ranked junior college tailback didn’t arrive in Columbia until later in the summer and had to miss a chunk of camp with a hamstring injury, but he’s a high-level athlete that brings an explosive element to a position group in sore need of it after star freshman MarShawn Lloyd torn his ACL early in camp.
6. Zacch Pickens
He likely won’t start Week 1 either, but sophomore defensive tackle Zacch Pickens could be a major presence for USC’s defense — Will Muschamp certainly hopes so. Pickens was one of the highest-rated recruits South Carolina has ever had, but he didn’t jump in and make an immediate impact as a freshman. Now, with first-round NFL draft pick Javon Kinlaw gone and leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the D-line, Pickens has the opportunity to shore up the unit. Seniors Jabari Ellis and Keir Thomas seem set to start, but backups at this spot always get chances to make an impact.
7. Nick Muse
South Carolina’s No. 2 receiving option this season might not play wide receiver — sophomore Xavier Legette and transfer Jalen Brooks could make that leap, but it’s far from a sure thing. Senior tight end Nick Muse, meanwhile, flashed a lot of potential last season with 17 receptions and 158 yards in eight games before tearing his ACL, and the tight end position is set to take on increased importance in Bobo’s new system. Muse is the clear top option at TE, and at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, he’s an asset in the run game as well.
8. Jammie Robinson
In a defensive back class full of highly-rated players, sophomore Jammie Robinson stood out the most last year, stepping into the lineup right away at nickel and recording 62 tackles and an interception en route to Freshman All-SEC honors. Now for his second campaign, Robinson will likely split time between safety and nickel. If he can emerge as a high-level DB to complement Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu, the Gamecocks would have one of the top starting secondary groups in the SEC. If he regresses, the passing game could be a weakness.
9. Eric Douglas
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Eric Douglas actually began last season in the starting lineup — but after a poor showing in the very first game against North Carolina, he was benched. This year, the versatile lineman is back and set to take the lead at center, a critical position along the line that was held down by six-year player Donell Stanley in 2019.
Given the injury history of Collin Hill and the uncertain state of the running back room, the offensive line needs to be steady and limit mistakes. Douglas proving he’s up to the task in the middle of that line would go a long way towards that.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 11:35 AM.
