2002 Statistics

written by Joe Brunson

With only two returning starters on an anemic 2002 offense, many are saying another 5-7 season is in the making. Coach Holtz has other ideas and, with the extra speed he will field, the Gamecocks may have a chance to make some noise in the SEC East. Ranking 103rd in total offense, they only have one way to go.

Dondrial Pinkins will get the nod at QB after watching for two years. At 245 lbs, he has very good movement and a cannon for an arm. There are plenty of questions regarding his accuracy but after a 16-for-24 performance in the spring game, he may have found his touch. Pinkins does have experience as he started the final two games a year ago. He is comfortable in the system and now just needs to show he can become a difference maker. JUCO transfer Michael Rathe is listed as the backup and is more of a pure throwing quarterback than Pinkins is. The junior from Mesa Community College in San Diego picked up the offense fairly quickly and should be able to fill in nicely if Pinkins goes down. Bennett Swygert is a redshirt freshman coming off an ACL tear that may push Rothe if he remains healthy. Don't be surprised if either Rothe or Swygert gets a chance if the offense opens without any spark.

With Andrew Pinnock and Corey Jenkins gone, the load of the running duties will fall to Kenny Irons. The sophomore gained 99 yards on 19 carries in the spring game and solidified himself as the #1 back heading into the fall. Junior Gonzie Gray is one of the smaller backs on the roster - he has deceptive speed and should get plenty of (3rd down) time in relief of Irons. True soph Daccus Turman will line up at fullback, but the 5-11 229-pounder is really just an oversized tailback. He averaged over five yards per carry and proved to be a weapon out of the backfield. He should grow into the big back role vacated by Pinnock. Unfortunately, he has been suspended indefinitely from the team for violation of team rules. If he doesn't return, Regis Edgerson will step in as he is in the same mold and may see early time as a lead-blocker until he gets his feet wet. Psst…Don't forget about highly-touted frosh TB Demetris Summers, he arrives in August. With depth a concern, Summers will see the field at some point.

The playmaker for USC this year will undoubtedly be sophomore Troy Williamson. He has great size and can flat out fly. Averaging 28.9 yds/catch, he is a long-baller with the ability to take it home on any touch he gets. JUCO transfer Taqiy Muhammad will line up symmetrical to him. He is smaller, but possesses similar speed and ability to use his former DB skills. This creates a nice 1-2 punch. Senior Chavez Donnings will be the number three-man. He has all the skills to vie for the starting job but injuries have kept him from living up to expectations. Two other players to watch for are Mikal Goodman and Andre Hemphill. They both possess excellent size and should be able to compete well in a system that plans on airing in out more. The sleeper in this year's receiving corps is Senior TE Hart Turner. He is an established blocker with good hands, but has yet to become a steady part of the play calling. Look for him to breakout - Holtz has been working with TE plays throughout spring ball.

The only other starter on offense besides Turner is LT Travelle Wharton. He is an All-American candidate and will need to be a leader to get the young line ramped up in time for opening day. Jabari Levey will line up beside him. At 6-7 340-lbs, he is easily the biggest Gamecock lineman. He saw action in four games as a freshman. John Strickland moves over from guard to center and has the spot locked up. Jonathan Alston is penciled in at RG but look for freshman Stephen Sene to push for time throughout the year. Na'shan Goddard will bookend the right side after playing very well at center his freshman year. Expect senior Jeff Barnes and junior Chad Walker to see plenty of action as the coaches will most likely mix and match this line until they find a combination that gels. Depth is good, meaning early games could expose struggles that year's end won't realize with improvement.

CB Dunta Robinson

written by Joe Brunson

South Carolina is switching from their 3-3-5 alignment to a more traditional 4-3 scheme this season in hopes to cause a greater pass rush. If new Defensive Coordinator Chris Cosh had a player in mind to cause the switch, it was DE George Gause. The junior is explosive off the corner and should be able to pile up more sacks with the extra lineman. Opposite Gause will be true soph Moe Thompson. Thompson started as a freshman and has great quickness. There are big shoes to fill in the middle but 300 lb. JUCO transfer Darrell Shropshire should come in with much production. Preston Thorne will get the first shot at defensive tackle after playing backup there. The 4-3 style demands great interior play, and if the interior struggles after the loss of Langston Moore, look for sophomores Fran Person or Brandon Schweitzer to have an opportunity and subsequently shine.

The Linebacking unit most likely will not be sorted out until fall practice starts as injuries and fierce competition has the depth chart skewed. Marcus Lawrence is a 236 lb. JUCO transfer that looks at home in the middle. But if everyone is healthy, he may end up as a rush end come August. Co-Captain Jeremiah Garrison can play any LB spot and is the best run-stopper of the bunch. True Soph Lance Laury missed time this spring with a knee injury but should be fine for the season. If he returns to 100%, he should prove to be the best in the unit. Big-play makers Rod Thomas and Darel Slay are both slated in at SLB. If the season started today, Thomas would probably be the starter after a nice spring. Darel Slay will more than likely be moving to DE by the time fall practice rolls around. Keep an eye out for Ricardo Hurley who played very well as a freshman making some waves. He had the best spring of the LB's and should be in the hunt for the outside job. This unit has the ability to be the strength of the defense and should be the fastest group in SC history. This middle part bodes well for any other defensive struggles that may arise.

Co-Captain Dunta Robinson is USC's best corner and is an All-SEC candidate this year. He comes in as their best cover man and should be able to handle almost anyone he lines up opposite. The other side is up for grabs, but senior Ted Crawford is coming out of spring with an edge. Deandre' Eiland (6'0") played mostly at free safety in 2002 but moves over to CB to push Crawford for the job. Look for him to get the starting nod as soon as he becomes more comfortable in the new role. A battle is on at free safety as well. Rodriques Wilson is one of the better athletes on the team and is contending for a spot at FS with 6'4 Jermaine Harris. Harris is a former JUCO All-American while the insightful Wilson has played both QB and receiver. They should split time throughout the year as neither player has emerged as a clear-cut number one. Jamacia Jackson gets the SS job with plenty of special teams experience on his resume. Freshman Fred Bennett will step in and battle immediately for field time. It may take time to gel, but this crew has the talent to be another pillar for the teams' leadership needs. They, along with the rest of the defense, will anchor their entire team approach.

LB Lance Laury