By Ryan Hood 7/28/2015 | ryan@blockcblog.com |
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(Ryan Bethea, 247Sports) |
Entering the 2014 season there was much optimism surrounding
the team and many national pundits had the Gamecocks pegged to win the SEC
East. Fans around Gamecock Nation seemingly bought into what was expected to be
a big season. However, looking back, as it is always easy to do, the 2014
season should have been labeled a rebuilding year.
With many pieces missing from the 2013 defense it should
have been obvious that there would be concern with a young and inexperienced
group. Throw in a new defensive scheme in the 3-4 and you have a recipe for
disaster. With that being said, some pundits have suggested that the Gamecocks
are on a downward spiral and may be heading back to the cellars of the SEC
after finishing with a 7-6 mark. Personally, I do not believe this to be true,
as I now consider the 2014 season a stepping stone heading into the 2015
season.
Obviously there has been quite a swirl of excitement around
this 2015 team throughout the spring and summer months. Multiple players and
coaches have made that crystal clear. They seem to have a feeling of redemption
on their minds, which is certainly just what this program needs to make a quick
turnaround. There are many questions that still remained unanswered, such as
who the starting quarterback will be, but with fall practice just a week away,
many of these questions will be answered in time.
QUARTERBACKS: All eyes will be fixed upon the VERY OPEN
quarterback competition heading into fall camp. Connor Mitch is the obvious
front runner, but whether or not he will secure the starting position has yet
to be determined. As far as the spring game goes, all of the QB’s appeared to
perform about the same. We all know of course what really matters is how they
perform under the lights. Incoming freshman Lorenzo Nunez has been
participating in summer workouts and is said to be "freakishly
athletic". Nunez seems to fit the best in the current offense as long as
the "read" is still an option. No pun intended.
This QB competition should be an ongoing battle all the way
up until opening night. Connor Mitch will be pushed by Michael Scarnecchia,
Lorenzo Nunez and Perry Orth for the starting job, no doubt. In 2011 everyone
presumed Stephen Garcia would be the starter in the opener against ECU until
the HBC pulled a fast one and went with Connor Shaw. Garcia eventually finished
the game, being inserted after the half, but it just goes to show you never
know with SOS.
We are 37 days away from opening kick and we will touch on
the many questions of fall camp as it nears. Please feel free to post questions
or concerns about the 2015 team and I will try to follow up.
By Ryan Hood 7/28/2015
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