With the upcoming season quickly coming up, certain awards have announced their watch list, and some Gamecock footballers have squeezed their way onto it.
Pharoh Cooper — Maxwell Award (player of the year) and Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player)
Cooper came alive last year after showing spurts of brilliance his first season as a Gamecock. He did a little bit of everything in 2014: caught passes, played as the “wildcat” and even gave his arm a workout playing quarterback. He is what they call at ESPN a “human highlight reel.” Against Tennessee last season, he set a school record 233 yards receiving with two touchdowns, and if that wasn’t enough of an effort, he also scored a rushing touchdown and threw a 30-yard score.
Elliot Fry — Lou Groza Award (best place-kicker)
Coming to the team as a walk-on, junior Elliot Fry has proven himself again and again. In his career, he is already second in field goal average (76.7 percent), third in PATs made and has made 99 PATs in a row, also a school record. In 2014, he was a Groza semifinalist and a second-team All-SEC selection after his best season as a Gamecock.
Jerell Adams — John Mackey Award (best tight end)
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches with a large frame, senior Jerell Adams got called into action after starter Rory Anderson was sidelined with injury. The last six games were Adams’ most productive, reeling in 17 receptions for 220 yards. This season, he will be the number one option for tight end (also the only one with any game time experience) and a big target for whoever is chucking the pigskin.
Brandon Shell — Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)
Offseason shoulder surgery that causes a miss in spring training would normally set back any football player, but not redshirt senior Brandon Shell. As the most seasoned player on Steve Spurrier’s offense (35 consecutive starts), he will anchor the line at left tackle after starting at right tackle all of 2014.