Donell Stanley fighting for his spot after injury

Welcome to offensive line week! The Final Cockdown is going take the next two weeks to appreciate the underappreciated big guys who make room for big runs and clean pockets. Here’s a list of who we’ll go through the next 13 days:

DJ Park | Zack Bailey | Christian Pellage | Alan Knott | Cory Helms | Donell Stanley | Malik Young | Blake Camper | Dennis Daley | Jordon Carty | Eric Douglas | Chandler Farrell | Summie Carlay | Jordan Rhodes

#72 Donell Stanley

RS Junior / 6’4” / 317 / Floydale, S.C. / Latta

After spending 2015 on special teams, Donell Stanley trotted out onto the field at Vanderbilt last season as the Gamecocks starting right guard. A few plays later he suffered a high-ankle sprain and was out for the foreseeable future. He had a slight chance at coming back mid-season but the coaches opted to shut him down and apply for a medical redshirt that would give him a sixth year.

In 2017, Stanley has moved over to left guard and worked with the starters in the spring game. He is listed as the starting left guard in the preseason depth chart, edging out senior D.J. Park. It looks like Stanley will get his opportunity to start on the Gamecocks line again after having it taken away last season.

2016 Season: One game, one start.

Recruitment: Four-star; offers from 15 schools including Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU and Southern California. Committed to the Gamecocks on Dec. 11, 2013.

Next Up: RS Junior Malik Young, who moves to left tackle after making nine starts at right tackle in 2016.