South Carolina football 2014 preview: Brock Stadnick

Brock Stadnick
RS sophomore
6'5'' / 294 lbs
Greensboro, N.C.

Recruitment:
four-star recruit, eighth-ranked prospect from North Carolina, 18th-ranked OT nationally

Other major offers:
Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida St., Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, N.C. State, Stanford, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin

College Career:
After joining the Gamecocks as a prized early enrollee in 2012, Stadnik was forced to undergo shoulder surgery and couldn't participate in spring drills. He was then limited in the fall while redshirting. In 2013 as a RS freshman, Stadnik saw extensive playing time on special teams and got playing time on the offensive line in blowout wins against Arkansas and Coastal Carolina.

2014 Outlook:
Stadnik is currently listed as the second-team left guard behind pre-season All-American candidate A.J. Cann. Given that Cann is regarded as one of the nation's best guards, it's unlikely Stadnik will beat him out. This is an important building year for Stadnik, though, as Cann's departure after this season will give Stadnik his opportunity to earn a spot in the starting lineup.

Trivia:
Stadnik is the twin brother of Gamecocks center Clayton Stadnik. During recruitment, it was Brock Stadnik who was considered the better prospect, but in the two brothers' time in the program thus far, it's been Clayton who has gotten the meaningful playing time after being forced into action early last season due to an injury to starting center Cody Waldrop. Don't be surprised to see these two twins lining up alongside each other at some point in their careers.

Another interesting tidbit about Brock Stadnik is that he's considering a degree in experimental psychology. That's not one you hear every day for a football player.

Beat writer's terrible double-meaning lede:
"The word 'Brock' is derived from the Old English word for 'badger.' The derivation seemed appropriate Saturday, when USC guard Brock Stadnik badgered Tennessee's defense relentlessly in a breakout performance."