South Carolina
South Carolina

South Carolina Team Report

Updated: April 22, 2012 04:26 EST

Coming off the best season in school history, Steve Spurrier has been extremely upbeat during the beginning of spring practice. Despite the loss of several key performers the Head Ball Coach believes the University of South Carolina can improve on last season's 11-2 record, having set a goal of at least 12 victories for the 2012 campaign.

There were several things that would disrupt most teams, including the loss of the Gamecocks running back, special team and safeties coach along with the strength and conditioning coordinator. Probably the biggest loss was that of defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson who left to take the head coaching position at Southern Mississippi.

The new coaches appear to have hit the ground running if the first few spring practices are any indication. Following a strong finish to the 2011 campaign, junior quarterback Connor Shaw gained 12 pounds during winter workouts, while running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. His passing has been accurate and he appears to have taken control of the team.

The biggest void during the spring has been the absence of All-American running back Marcus Lattimore and number two tailback Shon Carson who are rehabilitating following knee surgeries during the 2011 season. Kenny Miles, who has already graduated, has been getting most of the practice time at the position along with sophomore Brandon Wilds.

Miles has yet to inform the coaching staff if he plans to return or play his final season or play at a different school. According to running back coach Everette Sands, he has not only taken part in all winter workouts, but been a leader.

A big void must be filled at wide receiver where All-American Alshon Jeffery opted to place his name in consideration for the NFL Draft. Junior Ace Sanders is the leader of the group that also returns sophomore burner Damiere Byrd, senior D. L. Moore, sophomore Nick Jones and redshirt freshman K.J. Brent. Another player at the position who appears poised to make a splash is Jeffery's brother -- redshirt freshman Shamier Jeffery.

The offensive line will be younger but more talented as redshirt freshman Brandon Shell moves in at left tackle, while sophomore Mike Matulis, who is sitting out the spring following shoulder surgery, is the right tackle. Sophomore A. J. Cann returns at left guard, while junior Ronald Patrick will be the right yard.

Senior T. J. Johnson, the veteran of the group will start for the third straight season at center.

There will be more changes on defense. While Ward will continue to employ the 4-2-5 attack that features the hybrid Spur position, he plans to be more aggressive that his predecessor with more blitzing.

The team loses its most valuable defensive player in end Melvin Ingram, who is projected to be a top 15 pick in the NFL Draft and tackle Travian Robertson who is also projected to be drafted.

Despite the loss the Gamecocks return possibly the best end combo in the nation in sophomore Jadeveon Clowney and senior Devin Taylor. Both All-SEC performers, Clowney had eight sacks as a freshman was named both the SEC and national Defensive Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore Kelcy Quarles started the final six games of the season. Senior Byron Jerideau, the team's strongest performer, will be called to fill in for the departed Robertson.

Senior Shaq Wilson returns as the defensive leader at middle linebacker, while senior Damario Jeffery takes over at the weakside spot.

DeVonte Holloman, a two year starter at strong safety, will move to the Spur position which many believe is is natural position.

Two important secondary performers, cornerback Akeem Auguste and free safety D. J. Swearinger, are sitting out the spring while recuperating from injuries.

--Only a couple weeks after Steve Spurrier said he didn't expect there to be any turnovers in his coaching staff, four coaches and the director of his strength and conditioning program all left. The exodus began with running backs coach Jay Graham who left to return to his alma-mater Tennessee. He was followed by defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson who took over as head coach at Southern Mississippi, special teams coach John Butler who went to Penn State and safeties coach Jeep Hunter who was not retained. Strength and Conditioning Coach Craig Fitzgerald took the same position at Penn State.

Entering the program are running backs coach Everette Sands who served in the same capacity at North Carolina State, defensive backs coach Grady Brown who comes from Southern Mississippi, special teams coach Joe Robinson who served in the same capacity at North Carolina and linebacker coach Kirk Botkin who used to coach at Arkansas but was in the high school ranks last season.

Joe Connolly, who served under Fitzgerald, took over the strength and conditioning program.

--Coach Steve Spurrier had knee replacement surgery immediately following South Carolina's season but is moving around better than ever during spring practice. He will continue to call the team's offensive plays.

SPRING MOVERS:

WR Ace Sanders -- With Alshon Jeffery leaving a year early, the speedy Sanders appears ready to fill the void as he has caught everything. The second leading receiver in 2010, he is the team's leading option in stretching the field.

DE Jadeveon Clowney -- Despite grabbing eight sacks and being named the SEC and American's top defensive freshman, Clowney admits he had limited knowledge of the play book. While he still has a ways to go in that capacity, he better understands his role.

SPUR DeVonte Holloman -- Moves to the hybrid linebacker/defensive back position where he replaces the graduated Antonio Allen in what may be the Gamecocks most important defensive position. Most within the coaching staff believe it to be Holloman's natural position. He was slated to play there in 2011 but had to return to strong safety due to injuries.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "JD is a young man who has had a lot of things given to him in his life and it is not going to happen that way here. He understands that. He will get better and better." --South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward on standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney being held out of the team's first spring practice after missing a class.

2012 OUTLOOK: It took Steve Spurrier longer than he expected to change the culture at South Carolina, but it appears it has finally happened. Following a 2009 season in which the Gamecocks played in their first Southeastern Conference Championship game, they produced the best season in school history in 2011, posting an 11-2 mark that ended with a 30-13 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.. While several big contributors to those teams have been lost due to graduation and declaring for the NFL Draft, the team appears to have the potential to improve in 2012.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Despite numerous disruptions a year ago, the offense peaked at the end of the season behind the leadership of quarterback Connor Shaw. After taking over the Stephen Garcia, who was dismissed from the team at midseason, Shaw led the team to a 5-1 record as a starter. He improved throughout, leading USC to wins over rival Clemson and Nebraska at the end of the season by a combined 64-26 score. He managed to do that despite being without All-American running back Marcus Lattimore who was lost for the season with a torn ACL in his knee midway during the campaign. Although he and redshirt freshman running back Shon Carson are sitting out spring practice while rehabbing, both are expected to be at full strength in the fall. Senior Kenny Miles and sophomore Brandon Wilds are the duo who filled in the absence of Lattimore and Carson. All-American Alshon Jeffery must be replaced after declaring for the NFL Draft. While it will be hard to replace him with one performer, the Gamecocks have several athletes who are itching to fill the void. Junior Ace Sanders leads the pack. USC could get another boost at the position as sophomore Bruce Ellington a two-sport standout, could return. After announcing he would play basketball only next season, he has net with Spurrier about potentially playing football again. While the loss of tackle Rokevious Watkins to graduation is big, the team will have several talented youngsters up front which could potentially lead to the line improving.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: USC lost a lot defensively, but could be improved on that side of the football as well. Lorenzo Ward will be in his first season as defensive coordinator. He will have what may be the country's best pair of end in sophomore Jadeveon Clowney and senior Devin Taylor. The Gamecocks will be talented, but younger at tackle where sophomore Kelcy Quarles returns after starting the last six games of the 2011 season. Shaq Wilson, the defensive leader, returns at middle linebacker, while DeVonte Holloman, who started at strong safety the last two seasons, moves to Spur. All-SEC performer Stephon Gilmore must be replaced at corner after starting for three seasons, along with C. C. Whitlock who started on the other side.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Field goal kicker Jay Wooten and punter Joey Scribner-Hioward must be replaced. Both jobs are up for grabs in the spring, although walk-on Mike Williamson has been impressive as a punter. Ace Sanders returns at the team punt returner.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

WR Shaq Roland -- A Parade All-American, Roland could be the next in a line of outstanding wide receivers that will have a chance to make an impact as a freshman. A Parade All-American who is also a Division 1 talent in basketball, the Gamecocks had to fight off the nation's top teams to keep him in state.

RB Mike Davis -- Although the Gamecocks are well stocked at the position, Davis will be given an opportunity to fight for the backup spot behind All-American Marcus Lattimore. Davis, like his brother James Davis, who played at Clemson and in the NFL, is a big performer who can run inside or outside.

QB Brendon Nosovitch -- The Pennsylvania Player of the Year will not be called on to contribute immediately, but the coaching staff is excited to add the Parade All-American to the roster. It marks the third straight year Steve Spurrier has gotten his top target at the position.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Key players missing spring practice are RB Marcus Lattimore (knee), RB Shon Carson (knee), CB Akeem Auguste (foot), FS D.J. Swearinger (foot), RT Mike Marulis (shoulder).

--RB Kenny Miles has yet to inform the coaching staff if he plans to return for his final season. His actions indicate he will return, however, as he has taken part in all winder workouts and has gotten a majority of the work in the spring.

--CB Victor Hampton will get a chance to be a starter after playing a lot as a freshman. Although the coaching staff believes he takes too many chances, he is one of the most talented USC performers at the position in some time. If he becomes more disciplined, he could have a breakout season.