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06-29-2007, 09:48 AM
Redshirts of Influence - Defense
By Tony Morrell, GamecockCentral.com Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com
Analysis and commentary by Keith Allsep.
This season, South Carolina will look to six key members of the 2007 squad that did not play last season. Each of these players redshirted for various reasons, whether it was due to injury, or in some cases, the players needed a redshirt year to get their body ready to play in the difficult Southeastern Conference. Each player has a unique story, but all have a common goal, to help the Gamecocks win their first SEC crown. In this column, we profile three defensive players coming off redshirts who are expected to make big impacts in 2007.
Heading into the 2006 season, there was little doubt that defensive tackle Marque Hall was Carolina's top defensive lineman. The 6-foot-3, 303-pound trenchman appeared ready to fulfill the expectations placed upon him when he arrived in the fall of 2004. Hall was rated a four-star prospect and one of the top 10 defensive tackles nationally. The Gamecocks won a hard fought recruiting battle with Tennessee, North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia Tech for the big man's services. After starting the final three games of his freshman season, big things were expected from the Wingate, N.C. standout. However, a summer virus caused Hall to decrease his body weight over 20 pounds. As a result, Hall played the 2005 season in the 265-270-pound range, which is too light for trench warfare in the SEC.
With the hiring of defensive line coach Brad Lawing, who recruited Hall out of high school and was very familiar with his abilities as a player, and Hall getting his body weight back up to 295 pounds, it appeared the stars were in alignment for Hall to have a breakout campaign in 2006. True to form, Hall was dominant in USC's season opening shut-out victory at Mississippi State, as he recorded five tackles and one sack, which knocked out MSU quarterback Matt Henig, breaking his collar bone. However, the following week against Georgia, Hall suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee. Fortunately, the big defensive tackle qualified for a medical redshirt and has been granted that request, which classifies Hall as a redshirt junior this season. Hall should be fully recovered by the time practice gets underway in August, and a breakout season could finally be in the offing.
When linebacker Dustin Lindsey was declared academically ineligible following the 2005 season, it was a major blow to the linebacker corps. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Mobile, Ala., standout was coming off a junior season which saw him start four games and finish third on the team in tackles with 58. It was Lindsey that tipped a Chris Leak pass in the first quarter of USC's 30-22 victory over Florida that landed in the hands of defensive tackle Chris Tucker, who rambled over 50 yards down the field to set up Carolina's first touchdown.
Lindsey remained in Columbia and enlisted the assistance of a personal trainer, and then fought to regain his academic eligibility. With a second chance, Lindsey appeared to be reinvigorated during spring practice, making several bone jarring hits and, along with twin brother Jordin Lindsey, became one of the leaders of the off-season workouts. The former Davidson HS star was having an excellent spring practice, seeing time both as Brinkley's back-up at middle linebacker, and also vying for playing time at outside linebacker. Then, in the Garnet & Black Game, Lindsey suffered a torn ACL. The prognosis is favorable for a late September return for Lindsey, whose services will be needed as the Gamecocks look to improve upon their run defense from 2006. Lindsey provides the size the team is sorely lacking at outside linebacker.
Another welcomed addition to the 2007 Gamecocks will be free safety Brandon Isaac. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound senior was forced to miss the entire 2006 season due to shoulder surgery and an error on his transcript that was overlooked when the Blackville native was admitted prior to the 2005 season. Isaac finished his first campaign with 34 tackles, and returned a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown, and was set to start at free safety. However, circumstances beyond his control forced him to take a medical redshirt in 2006.
Now, after making it through spring practice, Isaac's shoulder appears to be fully healed and the former cornerback appears to be ready for a stellar senior season. Isaac exited spring practice firmly entrenched as the starter at free safety, and displayed the type of ball skills and recovery speed necessary to make a major impact in the USC secondary. Isaac also showed no ill effects as he continued to come up and make tackles in run support. With Isaac's return to the lineup, secondary coach Ron Cooper will have more flexibility in nickel situations, as Isaac has the coverage skills to play corner, and the size to come up to the line of scrimmage and blitz from his safety position.
Yahoo.com Sports Link (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-136469&prov=rivals&type=lgns)
It's hard to realize how much not having these players on the field during 2006 hurt our defense. These players are not just part of the mix, but were in position to have major roles for the Gamecocks last season, before their various circumstances ended their seasons. These guys will add to the outstanding freshman talent coming into the defense, but will bring game experience and maturity with them. I can't wait for the season to start!
By Tony Morrell, GamecockCentral.com Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com
Analysis and commentary by Keith Allsep.
This season, South Carolina will look to six key members of the 2007 squad that did not play last season. Each of these players redshirted for various reasons, whether it was due to injury, or in some cases, the players needed a redshirt year to get their body ready to play in the difficult Southeastern Conference. Each player has a unique story, but all have a common goal, to help the Gamecocks win their first SEC crown. In this column, we profile three defensive players coming off redshirts who are expected to make big impacts in 2007.
Heading into the 2006 season, there was little doubt that defensive tackle Marque Hall was Carolina's top defensive lineman. The 6-foot-3, 303-pound trenchman appeared ready to fulfill the expectations placed upon him when he arrived in the fall of 2004. Hall was rated a four-star prospect and one of the top 10 defensive tackles nationally. The Gamecocks won a hard fought recruiting battle with Tennessee, North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia Tech for the big man's services. After starting the final three games of his freshman season, big things were expected from the Wingate, N.C. standout. However, a summer virus caused Hall to decrease his body weight over 20 pounds. As a result, Hall played the 2005 season in the 265-270-pound range, which is too light for trench warfare in the SEC.
With the hiring of defensive line coach Brad Lawing, who recruited Hall out of high school and was very familiar with his abilities as a player, and Hall getting his body weight back up to 295 pounds, it appeared the stars were in alignment for Hall to have a breakout campaign in 2006. True to form, Hall was dominant in USC's season opening shut-out victory at Mississippi State, as he recorded five tackles and one sack, which knocked out MSU quarterback Matt Henig, breaking his collar bone. However, the following week against Georgia, Hall suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee. Fortunately, the big defensive tackle qualified for a medical redshirt and has been granted that request, which classifies Hall as a redshirt junior this season. Hall should be fully recovered by the time practice gets underway in August, and a breakout season could finally be in the offing.
When linebacker Dustin Lindsey was declared academically ineligible following the 2005 season, it was a major blow to the linebacker corps. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Mobile, Ala., standout was coming off a junior season which saw him start four games and finish third on the team in tackles with 58. It was Lindsey that tipped a Chris Leak pass in the first quarter of USC's 30-22 victory over Florida that landed in the hands of defensive tackle Chris Tucker, who rambled over 50 yards down the field to set up Carolina's first touchdown.
Lindsey remained in Columbia and enlisted the assistance of a personal trainer, and then fought to regain his academic eligibility. With a second chance, Lindsey appeared to be reinvigorated during spring practice, making several bone jarring hits and, along with twin brother Jordin Lindsey, became one of the leaders of the off-season workouts. The former Davidson HS star was having an excellent spring practice, seeing time both as Brinkley's back-up at middle linebacker, and also vying for playing time at outside linebacker. Then, in the Garnet & Black Game, Lindsey suffered a torn ACL. The prognosis is favorable for a late September return for Lindsey, whose services will be needed as the Gamecocks look to improve upon their run defense from 2006. Lindsey provides the size the team is sorely lacking at outside linebacker.
Another welcomed addition to the 2007 Gamecocks will be free safety Brandon Isaac. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound senior was forced to miss the entire 2006 season due to shoulder surgery and an error on his transcript that was overlooked when the Blackville native was admitted prior to the 2005 season. Isaac finished his first campaign with 34 tackles, and returned a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown, and was set to start at free safety. However, circumstances beyond his control forced him to take a medical redshirt in 2006.
Now, after making it through spring practice, Isaac's shoulder appears to be fully healed and the former cornerback appears to be ready for a stellar senior season. Isaac exited spring practice firmly entrenched as the starter at free safety, and displayed the type of ball skills and recovery speed necessary to make a major impact in the USC secondary. Isaac also showed no ill effects as he continued to come up and make tackles in run support. With Isaac's return to the lineup, secondary coach Ron Cooper will have more flexibility in nickel situations, as Isaac has the coverage skills to play corner, and the size to come up to the line of scrimmage and blitz from his safety position.
Yahoo.com Sports Link (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-136469&prov=rivals&type=lgns)
It's hard to realize how much not having these players on the field during 2006 hurt our defense. These players are not just part of the mix, but were in position to have major roles for the Gamecocks last season, before their various circumstances ended their seasons. These guys will add to the outstanding freshman talent coming into the defense, but will bring game experience and maturity with them. I can't wait for the season to start!