The beauty of college football often lies in the higher rate of turnover teams experience when compared to their professional counterparts. Despite an underwhelming 2014 campaign, South Carolina will have to replace a number of key players heading into the season.
The Gamecocks will return 13 of their starters in 2015 leaving them to replace nine key contributors, including four players drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Replacing these players, including quarterback Dylan Thompson and running back Mike Davis, won’t be an easy task, and the burden will fall to a healthy mix of seasoned veterans and fresh faces.
Some of these new starters have played more than just a handful of snaps, but the vast majority are unproven. Every year however, teams face similar, seemingly dire situations — then new players step up and teams improve.
Connor Mitch — QB, RS So.
Mitch was a four-star recruit out of high school. The redshirt sophomore threw for 4,661 yards and 63 touchdowns his senior year with Wakefield High School in North Carolina.Last season, Mitch went 2-6 with 19 yards in two games.While the quarterback race is not yet decided, Mitch is the definite front-runner to be the full-time signal caller this upcoming season.
Brandon Wilds — RB, RS Sr.
Wilds has been a household name among Gamecock fans since replacing Marcus Lattimore in 2011. Wilds started each of the team’s last five games notching three 100 yard performances on the ground. The former Blythewood High School standout has made a career as a backup, but will get the chance to start the season in the spotlight. The Gamecocks will rely on his leadership in an otherwise inexperienced offense.
Deebo Samuel — WR, RS Fr.
Samuel had a strong spring and could have a big season. The Inman, South Carolina, native was a three-star recruit out of high school and redshirted last season. With the departure of veterans Nick Jones, KJ Brent, Damiere Byrd and Shaq Roland there is opportunity for some new guys to step up. Samuel will not be the only freshman to see time at the wide receiver position this season.
Shamier Jeffery — WR, RS Sr. OR
Carlton Heard — WR, RS Sr. OR
Terry Googer — WR, RS Fr.
The third wide receiver position is wide open and few have any clue who will start. Head coach Steve Spurrier has stated that no one has separated themselves and the Gamecocks will probably use quite a few bodies at receiver. Jeffery has the most experience of the three, but Googer has the talent to challenge both veterans.
Mason Zandi — RT, RS Jr.
The six-foot-nine Zandi has seen action at each tackle position, as a sixth lineman and even as a tight end in short yardage situations. This season, the redshirt junior from Chapin will, in all likelihood, start at the right tackle position.
Mike Matulis — LG, RS Sr.
Matulis has battled knee and shoulder injuries throughout his career at South Carolina, but has been effective when healthy. A three-star recruit from Boynton Beach, Florida, Matulis has started 10 games at South Carolina.
Jerell Adams — TE, Sr.
Adams, much like Wilds, has spent most of his career as a reliable backup for NFL-caliber players. Playing behind Justice Cunningham and Rory Anderson, Adams earned All-Freshman SEC Honors in 2012 and started games as both a sophomore and a junior. Hailing from Pinewood, South Carolina, Adams is on the Mackey Award Watch List and is considered a viable NFL prospect.
Marquavius Lewis — DE, Jr.
Lewis is under immense pressure entering the season. The top-ranked junior college prospect in the country is expected to completely turn around a dismal 2014 defensive line that recorded just six of South Carolina’s 14 sacks. Lewis had a tremendous spring and the Gamecocks will look for him to produce in the pass-rushing department.
Dante Sawyer — DE, So.
Sawyer originally signed with the Gamecocks in 2014, but took a year at East Mississippi Community College to improve his academic standing. Much like Lewis, Sawyer used a strong spring to push himself into the starting lineup. Listed as a defensive end, Sawyer may wind up starting inside instead.
Cedrick Cooper — DE, RS Sr. OR
Dexter Wideman — DE, Fr. OR
David Johnson — DE, RS So.
Co-defensive coordinators Jon Hoke and Lorenzo Ward plan to rotate linemen. Cooper, Wideman and Johnson will all see extensive playing time though the starter is yet to be determined.
Isaiah Johnson — SS, RS Sr.
A transfer from Kansas, Johnson was only recently given his eligibility by the NCAA. Johnson graduated from Kansas in May where he recorded 148 and six interceptions in two seasons with the Jayhawks. The North Carolina native should help improve the Gamecocks’ 88th-ranked pass defense.
Jordan Diggs — FS, RS Jr.
Diggs played extensively last season at the Spur position. This spring however, the redshirt junior dropped 10 pounds to move to safety. He should bring experience to a young secondary.
Sean Kelly —P, RS Jr.
Let’s not forget about the punter, as Tyler Hull and Patrick Fish both graduated. Kelly is a transfer who averaged 42.7 yards per punt in two years at Florida Atlantic University.