College Football 2007: USC depth chart
Quarterbacks
(12) Blake Mitchell
(7) Chris Smelley
(6) Tommy Beecher
The scoop: Blake Mitchell is the starter — no ifs ands or buts about it — although during fall drills Coach Steve Spurrier has been impressed by the play of both Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher in backup roles.
Mitchell enters the season as the top SEC quarterback in career completion percentage (61.2 percent) and came on strong at the end of 2006.
The flavor of the week when USC initially opened practice was freshman Stephen Garcia, but Spurrier is leaning strongly toward redshirting him for 2007.
Tailbacks
(3) Cory Boyd
(25) Mike Davis
(22) Bobby Wallace
(N/A) Brian Maddox
The scoop: Boyd and Davis spilt time in the backfield in 2006, and both are back with the intent of giving the Gamecocks a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield. Boyd ran for more than 800 yards last year while Davis has amassed over 1,110 in two seasons on the squad.
Fullbacks
(39) Lanard Stafford
(43) Ryan Brown
(46) Bryan Kingrey
The scoop: With a young, mostly untested offensive line, a strong-blocking fullback is even more important. Stafford, a former lineman, fits the bill perfectly.
Receivers A
(11) Kenny McKinley
23 Mike West
(8) Larry Freeman
Receivers B
(9) Moe Brown
(84) Jared Cook
(82) Freddie Brown
The scoop: With wide receiver Sidney Rice gone, job one for the Gamecocks receiving corps is finding THE go-to guy. There are several candidates, although McKinley has the most experience and brings the biggest numbers.
Last season McKinley reeled in 51 catches for 880 yards, highlighted by a pair of 43-yard fourth quarter receptions that helped USC top Houston in the Liberty Bowl.
Moe Brown could prove to be a deep threat in 2007, and is the fastest receiver in the group.
In a recent move, Spurrier moved Mark Barnes from safety to wideout in an effort to give Mitchell more targets to toss at.
Tight ends
(80) Andy Boyd
(93) Robert Pavlovic
(19) Nick Prochak
(87) Alex McGrath
The scoop: No worries here, as Spurrier has size, talent and experience at this spot. Boyd was granted a sixth year of eligibility and was a second-team All-SEC performer a year ago.
Pavlovic and Prochak have also demonstrated strength and catching ability at the post, providing some depth.
Offensive line
Left tackle
(77) Jamon Meredith
(75) Gurminder Thind
Left guard
(70) Garrett Anderson
(60) Matt Raysor
(63) Seaver Brown
(62) Pierre Andrews
Right tackle
(78) Justin Sorensen
(66) Hutch Eckerson
(74) Heath Batchelor
Right guard
(67) James Thompson
(57) Lemuel Jeanpierre
(64) Kevin Young
Center
(71) William Brown
(65) Ryan Broadhead
(76) Jeremy Burgess
The scoop: Spurrier says it’s time for the Gamecocks to compete for a league title, but whether the Gamecocks do or don’t could come down to the play of the offensive line.
Three interior starters were lost to graduation, and there will be several new faces in the lineup. This is the biggest concern entering the 2007 campaign.
Although still a work in progress, Meredith is certainly the focal point — an all-league selection that smoothly made the transition from right tackle while last season was in progress.
Sorenson brings the most size to the line at 6-7, 323 lbs.
Defensive line
Left defensive tackle
(91) Ladi Ajiboye
(79) Marque Hall
(81) Terrence Campbell
Right defensive tackle
(95) Nathan Pepper
(97) Kenrick Ellis
(98) Joel Reaves
Left Defensive end
(41) Jordin Lindsey
(99) Jonathan Williams
(96) Clifton Geathers
Right defensive end
(85) Eric Norwood
(42) Travian Robinson
The scoop: Defensive line coach Brad Lawing is high on his young defensive line, which should be good in 2007 and has the potential to be dominating in 2008.
Only four starters return, but several players saw playing time last season and the guys in the trenches are expected to be a strong point for the Gamecocks.
Pepper had a fine spring and is expected to be the leader of the line. In fact, he earned top defensive player honors at the conclusion of spring drills.
Linebackers
Strongside linebacker
(51) Casper Brinkley
(31) Gerrod Sinclair
(54) Dakota Walker
Middle linebacker
(52) Jasper Brinkley
(44) Dustin Lindsey
(48) Vandaral Shackleford
(30) Yvan Banag
(47) Curtis Rice
Weakside linebacker
(45) Rodney Paulk
(53) Marvin Sapp
(24) Cody Wells
(49) Damien Wright
The scoop: Jasper Brinkley, who had a team-high 107 tackles last year (85 solos) and specifically returned for his senior season year to be part of championship team, leads a solid group that lost just one letterman from 2006. Added to the mix is Jasper’s brother, Casper, who played defensive end last season and recorded seven sacks.
Secondary
Left cornerback
(1) Captain Munnerlyn
(36) Stoney Woodson
Strong safety
(21) Emanuel Cook
(33) Chris Hampton
(35) Greg Wright)
Free safety
(26) Brandon Isaac
(32) Darian Stewart
Right cornerback
(5) Carlos Thomas
(18) Chris Hail
The scoop: Even without Fred Bennett, the USC secondary should create major problems for opposing offenses, especially those looking to burn the Gamecocks through the air.
Thomas and Woodson combined for 19 starts a year ago and shared Most Improved Cornerback honors in the spring.
Munnerlyn had a pair of picks in 2006 in just five games and will be called on to create more chaos in 2007.
Special teams
Kicker
(14) Ryan Succop
(87) Spencer Lanning
Punter
(14) Ryan Succop
(87) Spencer Lanning
Kick returner
(1) Captain Munnerlyn
(23) Mike West
Punt returner
(11) Kenny McKinley
(22) Bobby Wallace
The scoop: Spotty special teams play prompted Spurrier to bring in Shane Beamer to co-coordinate the special teams this season. Succop is an all-league kicker, but when it comes to coverage, USC has been mediocre at best.
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