EARLY BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Daccus Turman-FB, Kris Clark-WR, Jabari Levey-OT, Freddy Saint-Preux-OG, Fran Person-C, Na'Shan Goddard-OG, Josh Brown-K/P
DEFENSE: De'Adrian Coley-DE, Chris Tucker-NT, Orus Lambert-DE, Lance Laury-LB, Ricardo Hurley-LB, Terrell Davis-LB, Tremaine Tyler-FS, Johnathan Joseph-CB (NFL), Ko Simpson-ROV (NFL)
Defensive Back

All four starters return from the SEC's second rated pass defense.

Defensive Line/Kicker

The Gamecocks had trouble stopping the run in 2005. The issue of securing the front line on defense has to be a major focus. Josh Brown's services are finally finished as a duel punter-kicker.

WR Sidney Rice
 
DB Ko Simpson
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2006 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Blake Mitchell-Jr Antonio Heffner-So
FB Lanard Stafford-Jr ..
TB Mike Davis-So Bobby Wallace-So
WR Syvelle Newton-Sr Kenny McKinley-So
WR Sidney Rice-So Noah Whiteside-Sr / Carlos Thomas-So
TE Carson Askins-Sr Robert Pavlovic-Jr / Andy Boyd-Sr
OT .. ..
OG Thomas Coleman-Sr ..
C Chris White-Sr ..
OG William Brown-Jr James Thompson-Jr
OT Jamon Meredith-Jr ..
K Ryan Succop-So ..
DEFENSE
DE Jordin Lindsey-Jr Dakota Walker-So
DT Stanley Doughty-Jr Marque Hall-Jr
NT .. ..
DE .. ..
LB Ryan Brown-Jr Marvin Sapp-So
LB Dustin Lindsey-Jr Cody Wells-Jr
LB Mike West-Sr ..
CB Fred Bennett-Sr Stoney Woodson-So
CB .. ..
ROV .. ..
FS Chris Hampton-Jr Brandon Isaac-Sr
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Steve Spurrier’s initial impact in Columbia produced a better overall effort (7-4) than in any of the prior three years under Lou Holtz (6-5 in 2004, 5-7 in both ’03 and ’02). But many wonder how he did so with his guys collectively ranking lower in most statistical (NCAA) categories than they did under Holtz. Spurrier made his biggest change at QB, where Syvelle Newton (’04 starter due to injuries) shifted over to become the second-leading Gamecock receiver and Blake Mitchell has taken over the helm. Accordingly, improvements in pass efficiency ratings became the needed catalyst for better team play. The “Old Ball Coach” is a specialist at procuring QBs, and in Mitchell, SS has the talent for Blake to carry his squad to wins not quite feasible with Newton under center. And it only gets better once a budding QB gets a year under his belt in the former-Heisman winner’s system. The rest of the backfield looks strong, with TB Bobby Wallace set to emerge. Phenom WR Sydney Rice will only be a sophomore, but with the wealth of talent recruited for the corps, Rice has to keep his production up if he is to fend off the many raw prospects. Still, it is the return of the entire secondary (from I-A’s 10th-ranked pass defense) that has many thinking South Carolina could eventually be a top 10 team. New-talent galore also exists at DB. Holes in the DL look able to be patched, and with a strong front seven, the D will return to its stingy ways. Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee all visit Williams-Brice – advantage Gamecocks. And with USC’s jaunt into Gainesville for “Spurrier Bowl II” their toughest road trip, the intangibles are lining up for success. Spurrier-led teams normally don’t go backwards, so expect even more this go-round.

 

2006 SCHEDULE

9-2 Florida Atlantic
9-9 Georgia
9-23 @ Mississippi State
9-30 Auburn
10-7 @ Kentucky
10-21 @ Vanderbilt
10-28 Tennessee
11-4 Arkansas
11-11 @ Florida
11-25 @ Clemson
2 Teams TBA