Marcus Lattimore

by silver82blade on Jun 12, 2025 8:38 PM EDT

I don't follow Gamecocks football news too much during the offseason. Is Lattimore projected as a starter this season, or are they planning to use him sparingly like they did with Giles? I think a great running game is the only thing that stands between this team and a legitimate shot at a conference title. Also, what has been done to improve the offensive line? I like the big bruiser linemen that can power people out of the way, rather than the quicker athletic ones. I love the Carolina Panthers line, for instance. Have they recruited any of those types of guys?

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All I can offer you is what I've heard the past few months...

Spurrier has said from day 1 that Marcus would have a chance to compete for the starting job. The key word there is “chance.” My personal feeling is there is no way Lattimore supplants Kenny Miles for the bulk of the carries. He does have a shot at being the #2 guy. It will be tough for Lattimore to crack our lineup of top notch backs - Miles, Maddox, Giles - but if he is as good as advertised he can definitely do it. I’m not a guy who can evaluate talent, so I’m sorry but I can’t give you odds on that. It definitely doesn’t help that Lattimore couldn’t enroll early in January. How well can block in our offense will also probably determine his playing time as well - like we saw with Giles last year.

For me, I think the best case scenario would be in Marcus decided to voluntarily red-shirt like Kenny Miles did his freshman year. We’re neck deep in backs, right now, and that extra year of development would help him make an impressive debut as a RS freshman. Probably a pipe dream, but that’s what i would personally like to see.

I don’t know much about our line, but we did nab a 4-star recruit in A.J. Cann. All signs point to the line being much improved next year. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. I’ll point Gamecock Man in the direction of your post - he’s usually better at answering these types of questions.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Jun 13, 2025 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

P.S.

I also agree with you that our running game is the key to this team being a true competitor for an SEC title. It was much improved last year, but it seemed like we never totally committed to it. The Arkansas game comes to mind, in particular.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Jun 13, 2025 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish they’d quit handing the ball off to Maddox. To me, he’s more of a utility back. He’s a lot better than me, but an average college back in my opinion. If Miles can hold on to the ball, and Giles can pick a hole and hit it hard, I don’t see that they need Maddox touching the ball 100 times a season. I really hope someone steps up big and they have a great offense for a change.

One thing I really hate seeing is someone starting the year, being replaced, starting again, being replaced and so on. It happens with everything from QB to OL to RB to even WR sometimes. Although, hopefully Garcia is now the QB for good if last year is any indication. But, anyway, they should solve these problems in practice and not during the season. When you’re cooking, you don’t start using one set of ingredients, taste the thing halfway through, change the ingredients, and expect the thing to be edible. They only play 12 games. Every one counts. Pick the right guys.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Jun 13, 2025 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the reason Maddox gets so many touches,

is because he’s the best blocker. That was a major factor that limited Giles’ carries last year. I like Maddox, but I agree that he’s not a break out star. I think his role is best defined as a blocker and for short yardage situations.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Jun 13, 2025 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions