Five questions South Carolina’s offense must answer during preseason practice
Preseason camp always provides answers.
At the start, South Carolina’s football team might have questions. At the end, the Gamecocks will have the pieces all in place for the squad that’s going to at least start the season.
They might not be the final answers, but things will be considerably more clear. Walkthorughs have already started, with full camp beginning on Aug. 6, so what are the biggest questions?
How much does COVID-19 layoff hurt with a new scheme?
New offensive coordinator Mike Bobo got only a third of the spring with the Gamecocks, and he had mostly worked to install some of the more heavy personnel packages (looks with two backs or tight ends). That should be advantageous with the increased presence of under-center looks and the different quarterback footwork, but the team still lost valuable time with coaches on that front. Beyond that, Bobo said the staff likes to install its full scheme and pare down based on what’s working well. That might be trickier with the team having to shake off the months-long layoff.
What happens at receiver?
Shi Smith is a guaranteed starter. Signs point to Dakereon Joyner being a top option in the slot — and when the second-most certain thing is a receiver who has played very little receiver, that says a lot. Josh Vann and OrTre Smith are experienced but haven’t carved out consistent roles. The staff seems high on sophomore Xavier Legette. Freshmen Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell have shown a little promise since arriving at campus, but they’re young. And there’s a set of other receivers who have the chance to show something they’ve not yet.
How does that offensive front shake out?
The center position is vacant and has some interesting contenders. Eric Douglas took the first-team snaps in a short spring. Hank Manos and Vincent Murphy are younger options who the staff spoke highly of at various points. Then there’s Jovaughn Gwyn, a third-year guard who the coaches wanted to work in. If he can get the snapping down, he’d allow the team to keep four returning starters and maintain its interior road-grater build from last year. If Gwyn ends up at center, 2019 starter Jordan Rhodes would be able to maintain his starting spot.
Will Collin Hill push Ryan Hilinski at QB?
There were already rumblings that the coaches were impressed with Colorado State graduate transfer Collin Hill before a report characterized him as a possible contender to start. What that means it at best unclear. Ryan Hilinski started 11 games in 2019 and had highs and lows, avoiding mistakes but also not generating much in terms of consistent deeper completions. If he improves, he’ll probably hold the job, but Hill has shown some attributes to make it interest.
MarShawn Lloyd and then who?
Coming out of spring, it became clear four-star freshman MarShawn Lloyd should be a factor in South Carolina’s backfield in some way this fall. But after that, it’s less clear. Kevin Harris has been someone the staff spoke highly of since he arrived, while Deshaun Fenwick seemed to be rejuvenated a bit by some late success last year. The newcomers have the flavor of a well-rated JUCO back in Zaquandre White and a late-rising freshman in Rashad Amos. If one can emerge as a consistent option, that’s enough. If two can, the Gamecocks are in good shape. But someone has to do it.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Five questions South Carolina’s offense must answer during preseason practice."
