Three Storylines to Watch in Fall Camp for the South Carolina Gamecocks

Well, football season is unofficially upon us. The South Carolina Gamecocks report to campus today and begin preparations to start practice tomorrow. With practice finally here, let’s take a look at three of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on throughout fall camp.

Can Somebody Take Control of the QB Battle?

The top two passing leaders from last season return in Perry Orth and Lorenzo Nunez. However, it has been announced that Nunez will split time at wide receiver and quarterback and Perry Orth did not exactly do anything to lock down the QB1 spot after last season, despite throwing for nearly 2,000 yards. Enter Brandon McIlwain and Jake Bentley. Both are former 4* recruits with offers from a dozen or more major programs throughout the country and both look to be a big part of the future for the Gamecock football program. By all accounts McIlwain had a very good spring and enters fall camp tied with Orth as first string QB. With Perry Orth and McIlwain tied at the top of the depth chart, and Bentley’s natural size and arm talent, it will be an intriguing QB race to watch leading up to September 1st.

Will David Williams Live Up To The Prep School Hype?

After averaging 5.7 YPC his true freshman season, Williams was primed by a breakout season in 2015. However, his 2015 season was so bad that, after watching film, new RB coach Bobby Bentley thought he was running with his eyes closed. That’s, um, not a good sign. Hopefully under new direction, David can live up to the hype he had coming out of Philadelphia, PA. While the job is David’s to lose, don’t think the coaching staff will not be quick to go with Mon Denson, A.J. Turner or C.J. Freeman if they give us a better rushing attack.

Can USC Return to being DBU?

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. A football program that has recently produced the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Devonte Holloman and D.J. Swearinger, among others, now is more known for having a porous secondary. The fact that Coach Muschamp is not pleased with the level of play in the defensive backfield is well documented. The defensive backfield has a couple of talented players in Chris Lammons and JaMarcus King, but it still has more questions than answers right now. The defensive line is sure to be improved if no other reason than Deke Adams isn’t here anymore and the linebacking corps looks to be a strength. For the Gamecock defense to become effective again, the Gamecock secondary will need to make significant progress before and during the season.