Williams-Brice
07-06-2007, 03:38 PM
As many of you know, USC just brought in its highest rated recruiting class in its history. Most of the class arrived yesterday, and many of these newcomers are expected to come in and compete for playing time right off the bat. Many will probably be starting by mid-season. Read below to see who I think will be contributing the most, and feel free to comment and post your own opinions. I'm touching on the offense today.
1. Chris Culliver is the safest pick for USC Newcomer of the Year. He'll certainly have to learn a lot about the wide receiver position, but he'll be on the field on opening day. It is also likely that Culliver will be the Gamecocks' punt and kick returner. How quickly he learns the position will have a lot to do with how often he sees the field. If it takes him longer than expected, then expect the #2 man on my list to move up a spot.
2. Mark Barnes is going to start at wide receiver, which was not expected. Most people thought he would be a safety, but Mark wants to play receiver, and SOS is going to give him a chance. He's got every tool to be a possession receiver, as his speed is not his best attribute. He certainly has what it takes to follow in Sidney Rice's footsteps.
3. Dion Lecon is a wide receiver who becomes a running back once the ball is in his hands. If I had to guess, I would say that Dion will probably be more productive in the passing game this season than Culliver will be, but he won't get nearly as many touches on special teams. Watch out for Dion, though. His style of play with the ball in his hands reminds me a lot of Cory Boyd.
4. Weslye Saunders is going to give Carolina a weapon at tight end like Gamecock fans have never seen before. Weslye's senior highlight film was not released to Rivals.com until last month, so no clips from his senior season were considered when ranking him. If Rivals.com had these clips, then Saunders would have been a 5-star tight end prospect. If he is strong enough to battle with SEC defensive ends and linebackers in the running game this year, then he's going to be ultra-productive. Get used to seeing a lot of play action with the throw going to the tight end on a seam route. It's going to be a fixture in this offense like it is in the Colts' offense.
5. Brian Maddox probably won't need to be on the field very much this year because the Gamecocks have one of the best 1-2 running back punches in the conference in Boyd and Mike Davis. However, Brian will be used this year, even though the coaches would like to redshirt him. He's the type of back that excelled under Spurrier's Florida offenses.
6. Larry Freeman will be on the two deep and will get his fair chance to make plays. He's going to be pushed by the freshmen, and his spring was simply not that great. I see him being a roll player, but I just don't see his contributions being as great as the other three wide receivers above him on this list.
7. Ryan Broadhead is going to challenge for a starting role this year. Quintin Richardson has a greater upside, and he's probably even better than Broadhead now, but he doesn't have the body for guard or center like Broadhead does. The two tackle spots are pretty much settled, but everything is up in the air for the interior, and I expect Ryan to compete for a starting role and get playing time regardless.
8. Jason Barnes has the ability to play now, but time will tell if his body is ready or not. He's going to have to add some strength. If he can add bulk, then he will be the go to receiver for this offense; it's just not going to happen this year. The staff would like to redshirt at least three wide receivers, and I'm leaning towards Jason Barnes being one of them right now.
9. Quintin Richardson, as you all know, suffered a setback when he was stabbed at a party recently. I figured he would be the #3 offensive tackle heading into the season, but I see him being redshirted now. Most people don't know this, but Quintin will not be able to fly for 3-6 months due to his lung injury. His lung simply will not be able to handle the cabin pressure for several more months. While he may be able to play physically, if you can't travel, then you can't play.
Shirts
Stephen Garcia, Joseph Hills, Matt Clements, Eric Baker, Kyle Nunn, Michael Bowman, Patrick DiMarco, and Mat Williams will not play this year.
1. Chris Culliver is the safest pick for USC Newcomer of the Year. He'll certainly have to learn a lot about the wide receiver position, but he'll be on the field on opening day. It is also likely that Culliver will be the Gamecocks' punt and kick returner. How quickly he learns the position will have a lot to do with how often he sees the field. If it takes him longer than expected, then expect the #2 man on my list to move up a spot.
2. Mark Barnes is going to start at wide receiver, which was not expected. Most people thought he would be a safety, but Mark wants to play receiver, and SOS is going to give him a chance. He's got every tool to be a possession receiver, as his speed is not his best attribute. He certainly has what it takes to follow in Sidney Rice's footsteps.
3. Dion Lecon is a wide receiver who becomes a running back once the ball is in his hands. If I had to guess, I would say that Dion will probably be more productive in the passing game this season than Culliver will be, but he won't get nearly as many touches on special teams. Watch out for Dion, though. His style of play with the ball in his hands reminds me a lot of Cory Boyd.
4. Weslye Saunders is going to give Carolina a weapon at tight end like Gamecock fans have never seen before. Weslye's senior highlight film was not released to Rivals.com until last month, so no clips from his senior season were considered when ranking him. If Rivals.com had these clips, then Saunders would have been a 5-star tight end prospect. If he is strong enough to battle with SEC defensive ends and linebackers in the running game this year, then he's going to be ultra-productive. Get used to seeing a lot of play action with the throw going to the tight end on a seam route. It's going to be a fixture in this offense like it is in the Colts' offense.
5. Brian Maddox probably won't need to be on the field very much this year because the Gamecocks have one of the best 1-2 running back punches in the conference in Boyd and Mike Davis. However, Brian will be used this year, even though the coaches would like to redshirt him. He's the type of back that excelled under Spurrier's Florida offenses.
6. Larry Freeman will be on the two deep and will get his fair chance to make plays. He's going to be pushed by the freshmen, and his spring was simply not that great. I see him being a roll player, but I just don't see his contributions being as great as the other three wide receivers above him on this list.
7. Ryan Broadhead is going to challenge for a starting role this year. Quintin Richardson has a greater upside, and he's probably even better than Broadhead now, but he doesn't have the body for guard or center like Broadhead does. The two tackle spots are pretty much settled, but everything is up in the air for the interior, and I expect Ryan to compete for a starting role and get playing time regardless.
8. Jason Barnes has the ability to play now, but time will tell if his body is ready or not. He's going to have to add some strength. If he can add bulk, then he will be the go to receiver for this offense; it's just not going to happen this year. The staff would like to redshirt at least three wide receivers, and I'm leaning towards Jason Barnes being one of them right now.
9. Quintin Richardson, as you all know, suffered a setback when he was stabbed at a party recently. I figured he would be the #3 offensive tackle heading into the season, but I see him being redshirted now. Most people don't know this, but Quintin will not be able to fly for 3-6 months due to his lung injury. His lung simply will not be able to handle the cabin pressure for several more months. While he may be able to play physically, if you can't travel, then you can't play.
Shirts
Stephen Garcia, Joseph Hills, Matt Clements, Eric Baker, Kyle Nunn, Michael Bowman, Patrick DiMarco, and Mat Williams will not play this year.