The USC Gamecocks offensive line is the key to success for South Carolina in the 2011 season.
Last season, the line saw huge improvements and that helped to usher in the Gamecocks first SEC Eastern Division championship. Now it is about continued progression thanks to better coaching, better recruiting and the desire to help usher in another SEC East crown.
USC will miss left guard Garrett Chisolm, right tackle Hutch Eckerson and left tackle Jarriel King. The 2011 offensive line will be much improved due to the fact they practice against one of the best defensive fronts in the conference so they shouldn’t be shell-shocked when the real games come around.
Here is a look at the offensive line at USC for 2011 heading into the season:
LT: Kyle Nunn (RS SR 6’6” 296lbs) – Kyle has logged a lot of snaps as an OL at USC mostly at RT before finally taking over LT for good in early 2010. Kyle is solid experienced line player; he might struggle from time to time with a really quick opposing defensive end but as a fifth year senior – he must play big in 2011.
LG: A.J Cann (RS 6’3” 305lbs) – The staff is extremely high on the abilities of AJ Cann which is why he was given the LG spot at the start of spring and never really shared reps at the position. Cann is very athletic and versatile OL and could play any position on the OL but is being written in for LG. The only negative here is experience, as a RS freshman, he has none.
C: T.J Johnson (RS Jr 6’4” 314lbs) – The leader of the line is going into his third year as a starter. He should find his name somewhere on the ALL-SEC list by seasons end and is a very reliable hardworking line player that leads by example for this team. He is critical in the blocking of the inside-zone play which is USC’s main rushing play.
RT: Rokevious Watkins (RS Sr 6’4” 319lbs) – Rok is a solid offensive line player for this team OL and how he is used in 2011 depends on the development of a few other players. No one beats him in practice and he too should find himself on an ALL-SEC list by seasons end. He could find himself lining up at RG or RT but the staff would prefer to play him at RG because the LG-C-RG are key to USC successfully running the inside zone.
RG: Terrence Campbell (6th yr Sr 6’3” 295lbs) – If Campbell is in the lineup then Rok Watkins is playing RT. Out of necessity he has started quite a few games in his career, most notably the SEC Championship and Bowl game at LG for the injured Garrett Chisolm. This spot is one to watch as Campbell does not have a grasp on this spot, not to say it is up for grabs but if Campbell is not getting the job done then one of the younger guys could fill this spot. Campbell knows he must step up in 2011 but will he is the question.
Other OL’s to watch
RT: Cody Gibson (RS Fr 6’6” 282lbs) – He has surprised the staff with the improvement he has made over his redshirt year. He still needs to add strength and weight and needs to have a very big summer in the weight room but if he emerges and can work is way into the right tackle spot, this would allow USC to move Rok Watkins to right guard and strengthening the line.
RG: Kaleb Broome (Jr 6’5” 319lbs) – Broome is a JUCO transfer who arrived in January. He is one of the best looking OL physically but he just has not caught on to things mentally yet. Unless he has a monster summer, this will be another case of a JUCO player not totally catching on for USC until his 2nd year with the program. But if he steps up, he could surpass Campbell and become the starter at guard.
G/C: Ronald Patrick (So 6’1” 295lbs) – Ronald’s spring was cut short by eye surgery which might actually help him in the long run if they are able to redshirt him this year. Patrick was going to get a look at guard and center but the staff is unlikely to move T.J Johnson to LG and play Patrick at Center.
LG: Kenny Davis (Jr 6’3” 310lbs) – Davis is a solid back-up and will likely play that role in 2011. He is solid for a line player and is a tough body to move around.
C: Travis Ford (So 6’2” 265lbs) – Ford has emerged as the back-up at center and should hold the spot down especially if Patrick stays out of the mix. Ford has good footwork and only gets better. He needs to continue to bulk up but the future is bright for him.
C: Ryan Broadhead (Sr 6’5” 270lbs) – Broadhead is a solid back-up and will get some reps but he knows his role.
The freshman coming in will be redshirted but there is one to watch and that is –
T: Brandon Shell (Fr 6’7” 300) – Brandon arrived on campus this summer and is a very highly thought of OL. He will be given a chance to compete for the RT spot if he shows progression from his shoulder issue, if he does not he will be redshirted.
Now you understand what USC has along their offensive line. Having running back Marcus Lattimore does make the unit a lot better but this line is so much better than what USC normally fields. This line in 2011 is one of the reasons USC will make a run for a BCS spot.
_______
Other LOHD Position Primers
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Quarterback
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Running Back
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Fullback
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Wide Receivers
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Tight End
