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Most Valuable Player - Eric Norwood
There is a song by the now-defunct Seattle post-hardcore band The Blood Brothers called "Peacock Skeleton with Crooked Feathers" that poses the following questions: "Which peacock is beast? Which peacock is priest?"
Eric Norwood took his junior season to recommend himself as the answer to both questions. Often overlooked because of senior linebacker Jasper Brinkley, Norwood played like a beast this season and was one of the on-field emotional leaders for the Gamecocks. While Brinkley had a down year, Norwood was second on the team with 66 total tackles, including a team-leading 13.5 for a loss, nine sacks and nine quarterback hurries.
While Carolina's offense struggled to move the ball, Norwood led a defense which, for most of the year, was first-class in the SEC. Norwood, for the second straight year, was the only player who bothered to show up against Florida, giving USC some early momentum with a fumble recovery before three quick turnovers ended the Gamecocks' hopes.
You can tell by looking at his numbers. You can tell by watching him on the field. Norwood should have everyone convinced by now that this peacock is beast.
- Michael Baumann
Offensive Most Valuable Player- Kenny McKinley
What can be said about Kenny McKinley that hasn't already been said? McKinley may have been the only bright spot on a less than impressive USC offense.
McKinley has broken more or less every record that there is to be broken in Carolina's receiving books. After being completely overshadowed by Sidney Rice - blessed be his name - for his first two years, McKinley broke out over his junior year to prove that he could be a No. 1 receiver for the Gamecocks.
McKinley's streak of consecutive games played with a catch is nothing less than astonishing. As a testament to his toughness and talent, McKinley had a catch in every game he played since early in his freshman year.
McKinley is the model of leading by example. He has never run into trouble off the field and has exhibited a dedication to Carolina on the field that is only rivaled by former Gamecock Cory Boyd.
- Michael Aguilar
Defensive Most Valuable Player- Emanuel Cook
The man that most now know as E. Cook has proven over the last two seasons that he is a force to be reckoned with. As evidenced by his personal foul pushups during the N.C. State game, Cook holds himself to a standard of excellence that is just a little bit above and beyond what the average football player expects.
Most teams expect to have a linebacker lead the team in tackles, but for the last two years in a row Cook has not only led the team in tackles, but he's done it by a strong margin. This year, Cook had 21 more tackles then the second leading tackler on the team, Eric Norwood.
Cook changed games for Carolina, both by his mere presence and by individual plays. He returned a fumble against Ole Miss 52 yards and put the offense in a position to score - and the Gamecocks won by a touchdown. Opposing offenses mark No. 21 as the player to watch against the Gamecocks, and his impact helped make Carolina one of the best defenses in the nation.
- Michael Aguilar
Surprise Player- Spencer Lanning
What could possibly be the bright spot in realizing that your team's offense is in the bottom half of the SEC in scoring offense, total offense, pass efficiency and first downs and is last in the SEC in rushing offense and interceptions thrown? Well, you could find yourself a pretty decent punter.
In his first season, Lanning managed to have the fourth highest punt average in the SEC. While there is much to be improved upon in USC's punt coverage, with Ryan Succop vacating after this season, Carolina has found itself a replacement.
It remains to be seen whether or not Lanning will be able to be a reliable place kicker, but he has shown his ability to punt the ball in the all-important battle for field position. Until the Gamecocks get their offense rolling and can be depended on for first downs, it's possible that Lanning may be the most important Gamecock that doesn't answer to Ellis Johnson.
- Michael Aguilar
Rookie of the Year- Jason Barnes
Wearing Sidney Rice's old number puts bigger expectations on your shoulders the moment you walk out onto the field. Jason Barnes more than likely knew that when he chose to wear the No. 4 on his back as a wide receiver. He injured his foot against LSU last year and had to take a red shirt, but this year he was ready to go after being named the Most Improved Wide Receiver this spring.
It may have taken a while to show his true potential, but by the end of the season he had developed into another threat opposite Kenny McKinley. McKinley went down in the Vanderbilt game, leaving the offense scrambling for another go-to guy. Different receivers stepped up in McKinley's absence, including Moe Brown, but Barnes was still quiet in his No. 4.
Once McKinley returned against Ole Miss, Barnes broke out of his shell while the defense was focused on McKinley. That game, Barnes made 7 receptions for 76 yards and two touchdown catches. He followed that up the next week with 88 yards against Kentucky. After going through somewhat of a slump, he made three receptions against Clemson for 46 yards.
Barnes finished fourth in receiving yards on the team. He made 22 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns. No, those aren't Sidney Rice numbers, but Barnes is only a redshirt freshman and has a couple more years of duty to fulfill for the Carolina Gamecocks. He also still has a bowl game in which to shine this year.
- Chaz Brown
Most Improved- Chris Culliver and Darian Stewart
Chris Culliver and Darian Stewart both went from anonymity to superstardom this season. Culliver saw time on a few reverses and returning kicks last season while Stewart quietly filled in last season for third on the team in tackles. However, both players made changes over the offseason, and dividends were paid for USC immediately.
Culliver switched to the defensive side of the ball and stayed on kickoff return duty. He came in sixth on the team in tackles and third on the team in interceptions. He also starred in the return game, multiple times coming within a few feet from returns for a touchdown.
Stewart, while dropping a place from last season in tackles to fourth on the team, upped his contribution in run defense, pass defense and turnovers. This season, he had five more tackles for loss, led the team in pass breakups and passes defended and also led the team in combined fumbles forced and fumbles recovered.
Fortunately for the Gamecocks, both Stewart and Culliver will be back next year to support a defensive secondary that is losing one of its leaders in Carlos Thomas.
- Michael Aguilar
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