The Offensive Line at the
The Gamecocks finished last in the SEC in rushing for the third straight season and also gave up 37 sacks (tied with LSU for worst in the SEC) shows that Coach Elliott can only improve.
Elliott has 11 linemen on the USC spring roster. Seven of those are veterans: LT Jarriel King, 6-5, 310: LT Kyle Nunn, 6-6, 304; LG Garrett Chisholm, 6-6, 299; Center TJ Johnson, 6-5, 305; RG Terrence Campbell, 6-3, 283; RT Hutch Eckerson, 6-6, 287; and, RT Quinton Richardson (6-4, 276) who is sitting out this spring after shoulder surgery.
Take those seven and combine it with four players that have no game experience: Nick Allison (6-4, 301), Ryan Broadhead (6-5, 270), Steven Singleton (6-2, 303) and Rokevious Watkins (6-4, 319).
Now out of those 11, what do we have? Well, that is yet to be determined. Coach Elliott is still evaluating really which of the guys mentioned above are ready to run his new zone blocking scheme.
I think for certain you will see TJ Johnson at Center with Broadhead backing him up. I think USC is still trying to decide where J King can play as he has been on the left side of the line but the coaches have thought of moving the senior to the DL. Most likely not going to happen and he will stay put on the OL. Could see Nunn at LT, Chisholm at LG, Campbell at RG and Watkins at RT. But again neither I nor Coach Elliott knows which of his players will be on the opening day starting line.
I do think USC should go ahead and redshirt the incoming freshman crop – Milsap, AJ Cann, Cody Gibson, Ronald Patrick, Corey Robinson and Tramell Williams.
So hopefully you can see that the OL is still a work in progress but some positives to build off of are in place with the new Coach. Love his new attitude, love the new blocking scheme and feel there is depth at the line. The OL has an improved attitude and seems to be working hard. Still must get the OL to play tough and nasty.
Overall, heading in the right direction and this is the one area of the offense that HAS to improve for success to be achieved in 2010. I think this crop may shock some people and yes I have faith in our line in 2010 that they will protect Garcia and open lanes for the runners.
I do think this will be the best OL we have had in years….but is that saying a lot?
Other Spring Position Reports:
Gamecocks Spring Position Report: Quarterbacks
(pictured: Shawn Elliott / pic credit – Rich Glickstein/ The State)
