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A Very Early 2011 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart Projection

Discuss. Note that I'm not including any potential incoming true freshmen, and nor am I assuming that anyone leaves early or transfers other than Tori Gurley. I discuss some of those issues in the notes below, though.

Offense

QB Stephen Garcia, Connor Shaw, Andrew Clifford

RB Marcus Lattimore, Kenny Miles, ?

FB ? (Matt Coffee, Dalton Wilson, Justice Cunningham?)

WR1 Alshon Jeffery, Lamar Scruggs, DeMario Bennett, DeAngelo Smith

WR2 Ace Sanders

Slot WR D.L. Moore

TE Cunningham, Mike Triglia

T Kyle Nunn

T ?

G Rokevious Watkins

G Terrence Campbell

C T.J. Johnson, Ronald Patrick

Defense

DE Devin Taylor, Byron McKnight

DE Chaz Sutton

DT Travian Robertson, Aldrick Fordham, Bryon Jerideau

DT Melvin Ingram, Kenny Davis

MLB Rodney Paulk, Quin Smith

WLB Shaq Wilson

CB Stephon Gilmore, Marty Markett

CB C.C. Whitlock, Victor Hampton

S DeVonte Holloman, Akeem Auguste

S D.J. Swearinger

Spur Antonio Allen

Special Teams

KR Bryce Sherman, Swearinger

PR Sanders, Gilmore

P ? (Jay Wooten?)

K ? (Wooten? Adam Yates?)

Notes

The offensive line will be a position to watch. We're losing Hutch Eckerson and Garrett Chisholm to graduation, and Watkins is reportedly considering a jump to the pros, although one would expect him to be back. A.J. Cann, Ryan Broadhead, and Trammell Williams look to get some playing time, as well as perhaps an incoming freshman or two. Look for us to continue to have some depth issues here next year. We were extremely lucky that we didn't suffer any serious injuries on the line this year and will have to hope our luck continues in 2011.

With Gurley out, I'm thinking we move Moore to the slot receiver position. He'll likely be our go-to guy over the middle. Look for him to continue to bulk up and improve his game. It will be interesting to see who else emerges on the WR depth chart with Gurley and Jason Barnes gone. Scruggs will get more looks (look for him to emerge as a solid player), as will incoming freshman Damiere Byrd. Not sure what we're getting with Bennett (who may be more likely to see time on defense) and Smith, who only played in garbage time this year.

I'm not sure who will be the third RB. Perhaps one of the incoming freshmen? We also need to hope Miles sticks around.

FB is a big question mark, as we're losing the guy we've run there for the past few years. Our spread formations use the FB and TE in similar ways, so don't be surprised if Cunningham gets a look here.

Expect for Kelcy Quarles and, if he signs, Jadeveon Clowney to compete for immediate playing time along the defensive line next season. Also look for Sutton to become a major force. Barring injuries, this should again be a position of strength for us, even without Ladi Ajiboye.

LB will again be a position of concern in 2011. Hopefully one of the incoming players will be able to help us.

Should be interesting to see who replaces Lanning on punts and FGs. Could be Wooten on both? We have a couple of other guys listed as punters on the depth chart who I've never heard of, as well, and you never know when someone else might pop up here. At any rate, Lanning will be missed. We've been blessed with Lanning and Ryan Succop for so long that I don't think any of us remember what it's like to have a subpar kicking game. I hope we don't find out again any time soon, because it's no fun.