SEC INSIDER

Gamecocks to face early challenges

The Sports Xchange

August 15, 2017 at 12:15 pm.

Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) looks for room to run as South Carolina Gamecocks running back Rico Dowdle (23) blocks against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) looks for room to run as South Carolina Gamecocks running back Rico Dowdle (23) blocks against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina coach Will Muschamp should find out rather quickly if his Gamecocks are going to continue the success they had late in his debut season a year ago.

The Gamecocks, who closed fast to finish with a 6-7 record following a 2-4 start, open the season against North Carolina State in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 2, then dive right into SEC play with a trip to Missouri and a home game against Kentucky in the next two weeks.
With 16 starters back, 10 of them on offense, and the return of linebacker Skai Moore, who led the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons before a neck injury sidelined him for 2016, the Gamecocks are in much better shape to handle the challenge than they were a year ago.

Among those returning starters is sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley. Bentley was the key to last season’s turnaround and has a firm grasp on the position going into the fall. Michael Scarnecchia, a junior coming off a shoulder injury that sidelined him last year, backs him up.

“Those guys have made a lot of progress,” Muschamp said. “I see a lot of progress with those two young men, and I’ve been pleased with their work ethic.”

Despite the number of returning starters, Muschamp sees lots of competition for playing time for other spots on offense — at running back, tight end, receiver and the offensive line.

Sophomore Rico Dowdle, who started the last six games of 2016, North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams and A.J. Turner provide depth and variety at running back.

“Ty’Son and Rico are very similar running style, and A.J. gives us a little different style,” Muschamp said. “We need to get the ball into A.J.’s hands as well.”

Deebo Samuel, who shared the team’s MVP award with Bentley, is a versatile receiver who had 59 catches in just 10 games. He also had 15 rushes — six that went for touchdowns — and stood out in the return game. He also has had a “great camp” so far, Muschamp said.

“Deebo is extremely bright. He’s extremely intelligent,” Muschamp said. “He can play inside, he can play outside, he can play running back. He can do a lot of different things for us.”

There are some concerns on defense from a depth standpoint.

“I do like our first group that we roll out there, but we’ve got to have some guys continue to step up and be more consistent,” Muschamp said. “I don’t think it’s ability. I think it’s consistency and a lot of that goes to youth. We’re sort of working through that right now.”

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: WR Deebo Samuel — Samuel has been hobbled by nagging injuries in the past two years, with a hamstring problem sidelining him for three games last season and the first seven the year before. Despite that, he led the team in catches in 2016 with 59 for 783 yards, 14 of them in the Birmingham Bowl. He gives the Gamecocks a big-play threat not only as a receiver but in the return game. He even threw a 33-yard touchdown pass last year. He should get plenty of opportunities as he moves into his junior season. “The more you put him in different spots, the harder it is to defend,” coach Will Muschamp said.

BREAKOUT STAR: FS D.J. Smith — Smith backed up a solid junior season in 2016 (a team-high 80 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries) with an outstanding performance in the spring. Smith’s 62 solo stops were the third-highest in the SEC. As a senior, he looks to take over more of a leadership role as the “quarterback” of the Gamecocks’ defense. “He needs to continue that going forward,” coach Will Muschamp said.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: DT Javon Kinlaw — Kinlaw is one of several first-year Gamecocks who are being counted on to step up on defense. Kinlaw spent last season at Jones County Community College in Mississippi, where he recorded 4.5 sacks among his 26 tackles. At 6-6, 326, the sophomore could be a huge factor in a run defense that often was shredded for big yards last fall.

–CB Korey Banks is moving to the secondary after spending his freshman campaign at wide receiver last year. He saw limited action in six games and had one reception in the bowl loss to USF.

–OL Zack Bailey is at right tackle after spending last year as the starter at left guard.

–TE Evan Hinson missed last spring because he was a member of the Gamecocks basketball team that made a run to the NCAA tourney’s Final Four. A redshirt freshman, he is competing for time at a crowded position that includes returning starter Hayden Hurst.

–DB Chris Lammons, a senior, will play all the positions in the secondary — corner, nickel, dime, and safety. “He’ll be able to handle that,” coach Will Muschamp said.

–DB Jaylin Dickerson will miss the season after requiring shoulder surgery. He a true freshman who enrolled early to go through spring drills and was expected to be a contributor this fall.

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