Will Muschamp has vigorously worked to build hype around the Gamecocks for the upcoming season, despite 2015's 3-9 campaign. However, there is one weakness he hasn't been shy about pointing out: The secondary.
South Carolina wasn't awful against the pass last season, ranking 50th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game, but that put the Gamecocks sixth in the SEC East alone. Let's take a look at the players who will be tasked with repairing the secondary in 2016.
Rico McWilliams
With the absence of linebacker Skai Moore, McWilliams has the most experience on the South Carolina defense, having made 18 starts and played in 33 games in his three years in Columbia. The senior corner made 32 tackles last season, 24 of which were unassisted. McWilliams doesn't have great size, and he's yet to record an interception in college, but he will likely open the season as the team's top corner.
Chaz Elder
Elder has seen less action in each year of his career. After making six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2013, he started just three as a sophomore, before playing in only two games last year. For now, the fifth-year senior is listed as the starting safety over Chris Moody. Elder hasn't lived up to his high rating as a recruit, but he'll have one final season to prove his talent.
Chris Lammons
Lammons originally committed to Muschamp's Florida team before being flipped to come to South Carolina. Now, the junior is one of the most talented players on the defense, and he has the talent to play corner or safety. He's made 45 tackles in just 18 games for the Gamecocks, but he's struggled with injury throughout his career.
Rashad Fenton
Fenton primarily saw action on special teams as a freshman in 2015 as he made only two tackles while playing in 10 games. Muschamp is expected to show a lot of 4-2-5 looks this season, and Fenton is listed as the nickel corner on the preseason depth chart. The sophomore has incredible athleticism, which should keep him in the mix on the back end.
Jamarcus King
King didn't enroll at South Carolina until June, but he is an unquestioned talent. King is rated as the top JUCO cornerback recruit in the 2016 class, and he certainly has ball skills as he played wide receiver in high school. The junior intercepted three passes at Kansas' Coffeyville Community College in 2015. Muschamp says King will have to earn his playing time, but he certainly has potential to make an impact right away.
Chris Smith
Smith is the only true freshman coming into a depleted secondary, so he will see the field probably faster than the coaches would have hoped as a two-star prospect. However, the Rock Hill, South Carolina, talent enrolled in January, which means he has had an early jump in learning the playbook and developing intersquad relations.