With college football season right around the corner, many preseason publications are putting out their lists of the top position groups in the country.
The Gamecock linebackers and offensive line have gotten some love this summer, but what would South Carolina look like it had a team made up of the best position groups in program history? We think the roster would go something like this…
The Backfield: 1994
Steve Taneyhill, Brandon Bennett, Stanley Pritchett
No quarterback in Gamecock history threw as many touchdown passes as Taneyhill, who is also the third-most accurate passer in school history. Bennett is second all-time in career rushing yards and led the team in rushing every year of his career. Pritchett rushed for over 1,000 yards in his career.
The Receivers: 2006
Kenny McKinley, Sidney Rice, Jared Cook
McKinley caught more passes than any Gamecock in history and is second in the school record books in career receiving yards. Rice finished his career with 23 touchdown receptions, a school record. Cook averaged over 15 yards per reception in his Gamecock career.
The Offensive Line: 2013
Corey Robinson, A.J. Cann, Cody Waldrop, Ronald Patrick, Brandon Shell
Many are saying that the 2014 Gamecock line could be the best ever, but until they hit the field, the 2013 group holds that title. The front five anchored the most productive offense in Gamecock history.
The Defensive Line: 2011
Devin Taylor, Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram
All three are in the school’s top ten in career tackles for loss. Ingram was the first Gamecock to record double-digit sacks in a single season in nearly 30 years and Clowney broke the school record. They held four opponents to under 80 yards rushing in 2011.
The Linebackers: 1984
James Seawright, Paul Vogel, Carl Hill
Seawright and Vogel both finished their careers as two of the top tacklers in Gamecock history. Hill led the Gamecocks with five sacks in 1984, while Vogel came 16 tackles short of breaking the school record for a single season. Seawright was a first-team All-American.
The Secondary: 2001
Sheldon Brown, Rashad Faison, Dunta Robinson, Andre Goodman, Deandre’ Eiland
Brown and Goodman each picked off three passes that season. Only two opponents threw for over 300 yards against the Gamecocks in 2001 and the secondary allowed just six passing touchdowns through the first nine games of the year.