South Carolina Gamecocks Can Use This Weekend To Give Backups Crucial Minutes
September 15, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Shaq Roland (4) makes a touchdown reception over UAB Blazers cornerback Vashon Landers (10) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
The South Carolina Gamecocks should handle the Wofford Terriers this weekend, so plenty of Carolina’s backups, especially freshman, will see a lot playing time.
Which guys need this PT the most, and who exactly should Steve Spurrier and company give it to?
The number one player on this list is Shaq Roland. Last year’s Mr. South Carolina for football, and the highest ranked recruit of Carolina’s class hasn’t started off his Gamecock career as fast as some thought he might.
Carolina has used him mostly as a down-field target this season, and he’s only caught five passes all year.
Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington will still be around next year, but they’re both slot receivers. For Carolina to take that next step and compete for titles of multiple kinds, it has to find a legit down-field receiving threat, and Roland can be just that.
Keeping with the offensive theme I’ve already established, and basing this off the fact that it would be awesome to have two great pass catching tight ends around for another few years, Jerell Adams should see the field a lot against Wofford.
Adams has four catches on the year for 90 yards and a touchdown, and next year’s receiving corps could be exciting to watch with him and Rory Anderson running up and down the field against linebackers.
I’d chuck the ball to him a couple times every quarter if I could this weekend, just to give Gamecock fans a preview of what’s to come.
Finally, on the defensive side of the ball, Darius English should get some playing time. The only game he’s played in this season was against UAB and he recorded three tackles. Devin Taylor is gone after this year, and the only players backing him up right now that have experience are juniors. In at most two years, and maybe sooner, English will probably be the guy lining up on the end Jadeveon Clowney isn’t occupying.