Running Back
The last two years, Steve Spurrier's offense has looked more like ground and pound than fun and gun, mainly because the Gamecock coach has benefitted from having one of the most talented groups of running backs in the country. Today I will discuss my thoughts on the Cocks' backfield and go into who I think will help share the load with Heisman hopeful Marcus Lattimore.
Marcus Lattimore
Two years ago, Lattimore stepped on to the Columbia campus and immediatley impacted the USC football team. Latt became the work horse of SOS's offense as a freshman, carrying the ball 249 times for almost 1200 yards for 17 TD's on the ground. More impressive than his stats for the year was the fact that in his first SEC game against rival UGA, Lattimore carried the ball 37 times for 182 yards and two scores. 37 times, as a freshman, against a hated rival, in his first game in the hardest conference in the nation (not to mention it was an early September afternoon in Columbia). Lattimore ended his freshman campaign earning the title of SEC Freshman of the Year for 2010, though he sat out almost two and a half games worth of playing time.
To follow up his first campaign in the Garnet and Black, Lattimore picked up right where he left off, rushing for 112 yards, 176 yards, and 246 yards in his first three games, on a whopping 87 carries. The Heisman candidate continued to be the productivity machine that he was his freshman year for the next 4 games, but unfortunately had his season cut short by a torn ACL and MCL he suffered against Mississippi State. Though he played less than 7 games in his sophomore year for the Gamecocks, Marcus still managed to gain over 800 yards and to find the endzone 11 times (rushing and receiving combined). Lattimore was even elected second team all conference (Did I mention the SEC was the best conference in the nation?) without seeing action for the final 6 contests of the year.
Now, having said all this, the main question for 2012 is quite simple: how well will Marcus Lattimore's surgically repaired knee have recovered, and how well will it be able to hold up carrying the ball in the grueling SEC. From everything I have heard, Lattimore is more than on track to be at 100% for the season opener against Vandy, and that he has been working harder than ever rehabing his knee. Chris Clark of Gamecock Central has said that Lattimore is "almost back to normal and will be competing in seven on sevens starting (today) Monday." All of this points to one thing for me: Latt will be back at 100% (minus one practice jersey though) and will be a force this year. I don't think he will carry the ball near as many times as he did his freshman and sophomore years (because of wanting to keep him healthy and because of the other great backs that will be in the stable), but I do expect him to play at the high level he did his first two years. I could honestly see the 2012 season leaving 21 in the company of 38: the great George Rogers, the Gamecocks only Heisman winner.
Kenny Miles
No one would say that Kenny's time as a Gamecock has been perfect. The Georgia native was redshirted when he got to campus in 2008. In 2009, he split time in the backfield as a redshirt-freshman, rushing for an impressive 640 yards on 117 carries. But injuries and the arrival of Lattimore have slowed this former starter. Losing his starting job in 2010, Miles only ran for 152 even though he played in all fourteen games. 2011 was an even harder year for Miles. Coming in as Lattimore's backup, Miles got his opportunity to shine when the starter went down with a knee injury. However, a wrist injury of his own forced him to miss six games and have very limited production in four others. The redshirt-junior came on strong at the end though, rushing for 71 yards against rival Clemson and 67 in the bowl win against Nebraska, including a touchdown run and catch.
Whether or not Miles was going to return for his fifth year in the Garnet and Black was up in the air, but now that it is certain he will don number 31 for a fourth straight year, I am almost certain that the Cocks have an experienced leader in the backfield. The fact that Miles has shown he can face adversity shows his teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help this football program win. This veteran leadership will help the younger guys get better, and I believe that all of Kenny's hard work will pay off and he will contribute well to the best backfield in the SEC (and ipso facto, the nation).
Brandon Wilds
The biggest surprise last year for Steve Spurrier's offense was the play of true freshman Brandon Wilds. Wilds, who became the starter by default when Carolina's backfield became more like the infirmary, ran for just about 500 yards and 3 scores even though the preseason depth chart had him listed as the fifth stringer. The true freshman was most impressive when it mattered most in 2011, reaching the century mark in rushing yards in three key wins down the stretch for the Gamecocks.
As impressive as he was a true freshman, what will Wilds' roll be in 2012? If Lattimore comes back healthy (which is what all signs point to as of now), Miles can stay healthy, and if the combination of redshirt freshman Shon Carson and true freshman Mike Davis are as good as advertised, Wilds could get lost in the mix. I don't think this is the case though, and I truly believe that the offensive surprise last year will be a key runner for the Gamecocks this year. I expect the offensive brilliance that Spurrier has shown in the past to be evident again this year in the way he uses the big back (6'2" and 218 pounds), getting him involved in the passing games and uses him for a lot of third down situations.
Shon Carson/Mike Davis
I'm putting these two together for multiple reasons. First, both are coming into their freshman campaigns. For Carson, it will be his redshirt freshman campaign after carrying the ball only three times total last year before suffering a torn ACL against UGA. Davis comes in as highly touted true freshman (rated as a four star prospect by Rivals.com), and will likely see some time on the field considering the way SOS usually handles talented freshman. Secondly, what their role will be on the team is still up in the air. Carson was used sparingly his first year before his injury, and was unable to participate in spring practices because of it. Having yet to set foot on campus, the role that Davis will play is also in question.
When it comes down to it, we just do not know enough about these two guys to really figure out what we think about them and what their role will be. I think both players have the talent to contribute, but with three proven players in front of the them, their time might not be in 2012. I do think that the rest of the summer will be crucial to not only see where Carson's knee is, but to also see how Davis transitions from high school to the college game. Depending on both of these, I could see limited use from both players or two players who really surprise everyone and get lots of productive playing time.
That's all I've got for the backfield (most talented in the SEC). I'll be back later for a preview of the new look receiving corps of the Cocks.
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