How The South Carolina Gamecocks Can Bolster Their Receiving Corp

October 27, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Ace Sanders (1) makes a touchdown reception against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

In the coming days, Garnet and Cocky will at how the South Carolina Gamecocks can improve at every position.

Today is something of a double dip scenario, because the number one way SC can improve its receiving corp is by utilizing its tight ends more.

Justice Cunningham was fourth on the team in receptions this year, and fourth in receiving yards.

He will be gone next year, but Rory Anderson and Jerell Adams won’t be.

Anderson was third on the team in touchdown receptions and fifth in receiving yards. Adams wasn’t near the top, but averaged over 20 yards per reception and caught a touchdown.

Over the middle on slants, and to the sidelines on outs, as well as on comebacks and go routs, South Carolina has to utilize those two tight ends all over the field. Both should have no fewer than 20 catches each in 2013.

As far as the wide receivers go, Shaq Roland must turn into a down-field receiving threat. If he does, the Gamecocks could have an unstoppable offense.

Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington should be better than the were this year, which is scary to think about for opposing defensive coordinators. Combined they caught 74 passes for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

One final player that will say a lot about how SC’s receiving corp fairs next year is Damier Byrd.

This year he averaged 25.3 yards per catch and had 300 yards receiving to go along with two touchdowns. He only caught 12 passes, though. For this group to really take off, Byrd has to haul in more than that. 2o would be a great number for him to strive for.

Whatever happens, wide receiver will not be a weakness on this Gamecocks team next season.

The group only has room to grow.