The Five Most Interesting Position Battles During Spring Practice
posted by Scott Hood, Friday, February 27, 2009
1. Both Cornerback Spots: Captain Munnelryn, Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson are gone. In their place, please welcome Akeem Auguste, Addison Williams, C.C. Whitlock, Jay Spearman and Stephon Gilmore. Based on experience, the early favorites should be Auguste and Williams, but Whitlock and Gilmore didn’t sign with USC to sit on the bench. Auguste had 18 tackles and four pass breakups and displayed a willingness to play physical. Williams had 14 tackles and an interception. Gilmore might be the best athlete in the bunch and supposedly will get a look at QB as well. Whitlock struggled with family problems to appear in seven games last seasons. Spearman redshirted last season and should be eager for his chance.
2. No. 1 Running Back: The foot injury to Jarvis Giles puts a slight damper on this much-anticipated donnybrook but the graduation of Mike Davis leaves a void that must be filled. The easy answer would be to say that Eric Baker and Brian Maddox will duke it out for the top job, but don’t forget Kenny Miles, who might be the fastest runner in the group. In fact, I’ll predict Miles will emerge from the spring as one of the top two running backs. Giles should make an appearance at some point. But it might be too late to break into the top three. It looks like he might have to wait until pre-season camp in August for an opportunity to make an impression.
3. Most Positions Along The Offensive Line: New O-Line coach Eric Wolford has promised a clean start and that's exactly what the players will get. O-Line has been without question the most heavily criticized position, by far, on the Gamecocks over the last four years. You can pencil in Garrett Anderson at center and Jarriel King at left tackle despite his recent heart surgery. King might not do much this spring but he should be healthy by the time pre-season camp starts in early August. After that, you knows? Both guard spots are again up in the air with Lemuel Jeanpierre, Terrence Campbell, Kevin Young, Pierre Andrews, Kyle Nunn, T.J. Johnson and Ryan Broadhead in the mix. In the fall, JUCO transfers Kevious Watkins and Steve Singleton will join the program. Then there’s the possible return of Heath Batchelor. At right tackle, you can expect Quintin Richardson and Hutch Eckerson to compete for the right to replace Justin Sorensen. Nunn could be involved too. Without question, Wolford will earn his money this spring.
4. Field Goal Kicker: Ryan Succop was one of the best field goal kickers in school history and departed as the second all-time leading scorer. Before he left to join the Indianapolis Colts, Ray Rychleski said the field goal kicking job would be largely a two-man battle between Spencer Lanning and Adam Yates. Lanning is currently the punter, while Yates was a successful kicker in the Maryland high school ranks. Eric Davis, a walk-on from Newberry, S.C., could join the fray as well. Whoever wins the job will certainly have large shoes to fill.
5. Spur Linebacker: This position was filled mostly by Darian Stewart last season. But Stewart is likely to move back and take over at strong safety for the departed Emanuel Cook. So, who fills this vital spot in USC’s 4-2-5 alignment? Alonzo Winfield has the speed Ellis Johnson (whose new title, in case you haven’t heard, is Assistant Head Football Coach In Charge Of Defense) is looking for and should be considered the favorite. But Winfield played mostly on special teams last season. Shaq Wilson, who has a little more playing experience than Winfield, and Antonio Allen could also get looks there, as well as Josh Dickerson or Tony Straughter, the latest additions from Georgia Military College, and Reggie Bowens. With so many contenders, it will an interesting battle to follow.
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Spring practice is always filled with intriguing battles at various positions, and Steve Spurrier’s fifth spring as head coach is no different. As the coaches say, it’s all about putting the best 11 players on the field. Based on the personnel losses experienced by the Gamecocks, together with the mediocre performances at some positions last season, here are the spring’s five most interesting clashes:
1. Both Cornerback Spots: Captain Munnelryn, Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson are gone. In their place, please welcome Akeem Auguste, Addison Williams, C.C. Whitlock, Jay Spearman and Stephon Gilmore. Based on experience, the early favorites should be Auguste and Williams, but Whitlock and Gilmore didn’t sign with USC to sit on the bench. Auguste had 18 tackles and four pass breakups and displayed a willingness to play physical. Williams had 14 tackles and an interception. Gilmore might be the best athlete in the bunch and supposedly will get a look at QB as well. Whitlock struggled with family problems to appear in seven games last seasons. Spearman redshirted last season and should be eager for his chance.
2. No. 1 Running Back: The foot injury to Jarvis Giles puts a slight damper on this much-anticipated donnybrook but the graduation of Mike Davis leaves a void that must be filled. The easy answer would be to say that Eric Baker and Brian Maddox will duke it out for the top job, but don’t forget Kenny Miles, who might be the fastest runner in the group. In fact, I’ll predict Miles will emerge from the spring as one of the top two running backs. Giles should make an appearance at some point. But it might be too late to break into the top three. It looks like he might have to wait until pre-season camp in August for an opportunity to make an impression.
3. Most Positions Along The Offensive Line: New O-Line coach Eric Wolford has promised a clean start and that's exactly what the players will get. O-Line has been without question the most heavily criticized position, by far, on the Gamecocks over the last four years. You can pencil in Garrett Anderson at center and Jarriel King at left tackle despite his recent heart surgery. King might not do much this spring but he should be healthy by the time pre-season camp starts in early August. After that, you knows? Both guard spots are again up in the air with Lemuel Jeanpierre, Terrence Campbell, Kevin Young, Pierre Andrews, Kyle Nunn, T.J. Johnson and Ryan Broadhead in the mix. In the fall, JUCO transfers Kevious Watkins and Steve Singleton will join the program. Then there’s the possible return of Heath Batchelor. At right tackle, you can expect Quintin Richardson and Hutch Eckerson to compete for the right to replace Justin Sorensen. Nunn could be involved too. Without question, Wolford will earn his money this spring.
4. Field Goal Kicker: Ryan Succop was one of the best field goal kickers in school history and departed as the second all-time leading scorer. Before he left to join the Indianapolis Colts, Ray Rychleski said the field goal kicking job would be largely a two-man battle between Spencer Lanning and Adam Yates. Lanning is currently the punter, while Yates was a successful kicker in the Maryland high school ranks. Eric Davis, a walk-on from Newberry, S.C., could join the fray as well. Whoever wins the job will certainly have large shoes to fill.
5. Spur Linebacker: This position was filled mostly by Darian Stewart last season. But Stewart is likely to move back and take over at strong safety for the departed Emanuel Cook. So, who fills this vital spot in USC’s 4-2-5 alignment? Alonzo Winfield has the speed Ellis Johnson (whose new title, in case you haven’t heard, is Assistant Head Football Coach In Charge Of Defense) is looking for and should be considered the favorite. But Winfield played mostly on special teams last season. Shaq Wilson, who has a little more playing experience than Winfield, and Antonio Allen could also get looks there, as well as Josh Dickerson or Tony Straughter, the latest additions from Georgia Military College, and Reggie Bowens. With so many contenders, it will an interesting battle to follow.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.