Position Preview: O-Line

When the Gamecocks open the 2011 season they will have started their third consecutive season with a new offensive line coach.

The man taking the job this season is former Appalachian State O-line coach Shawn Elliot. Elliot had coached the Mountaineer’s line since 2001 and was a part of the Boone, N.C. powerhouse that won three straight FCS national championships from 2005-07.

Last season alone Elliot’s line helped Appalachian state rush for 2890 yards, 45 touchdowns and an impressive 4.9 yards per carry. App State quarterbacks were sacked just 18 times last season while they passed for a total of 3621 yards.

Now, it’s obvious that all of those stats aren’t solely the result of a stellar offensive line, but when you compare them with stats from Carolina’s 2009 campaign it’s also obvious that a good offensive line certainly helps the cause; the Gamecocks rushed for just 1576 yards, 12 touchdowns and a disheartening 3.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was sacked 37 times last season and still managed to throw for 2862 yards and 17 touchdowns - just imagine if he would have actually had time to throw the ball.

Elliot got to work right away with his new team during the spring, moving redshirt sophomore TJ Johnson from guard to center, stabilizing a position that at times last season was a problem for the Gamecocks. Johnson, one of only five Gamecocks to start every single game last season, was presented with the offense’s Weight Room Achievement award before the Spring Game and was one of the best linemen in the SEC last season earning freshmen All SEC honors.

While there’s little doubt that Johnson will be starting at center for the Gamecocks when Southern Mississippi comes to town there are battles raging at almost every other position on the offensive line.

As of now senior Hutch Eckerson is listed as the number one right tackle, however fourth year junior Kyle Nunn is expected to push for the starting job throughout the summer, and although senior Terrence Campbell has the number one spot at right guard he will have some stiff competition from junior college transfer Rokevious Watkins and true freshmen AJ Cann.

Cann, who was the ninth best player in the state of South Carolina, and the third best offensive guard in the country (according to ESPN), is listed at 6’2’’ 285 and was mentioned by head coach Steve Spurrier as a freshmen that could compete for playing time right away during Carolina’s signing day press conference. During his senior season at Bamberg-Ehrhardt he recorded 60 knock-down blocks, did not give up a sack and even logged 95 tackles and six sacks as a defensive end. Cann will bring a toughness to the Offensive line in 2011 that at times fans have complained about as lacking over the past two seasons.

The remaining two spots on the line currently belong to senior Jarriel King at left tackle and senior Garrett Chisolm at left guard.

Should the Gamecocks find themselves in Atlanta come december the offensive line will be a huge reason why, but it remains to be seen if Elliot can do enough in such a short period of time to get that unit ready for an SEC East title run.

With so many players returning its hard to believe that the O-line could give up anywhere near the amount of sacks they did last year, however, the only problem with that line of thinking is they could give up 25 sacks next season and be regarded as a success. While reducing the sack total by 12 would be a nice improvement, it doesn’t do anything to guarantee a great season.

If there is any reason to be hopeful with the offensive line next year it’s the fact that the Gamecocks are returning two running backs who both averaged better than five yards per carry last season in Kenny miles (5.4) and Jarvis Giles (5.3). Good running backs could help out a bad line, and, since they’ll be playing behind a more improved group of linemen, those running backs could be even better in 2010.

From what I saw throughout the spring I truly believe the line is getting better. I don’t believe, however, that the line is one of the team’s strengths and, while the unit is showing improvement, it’s going to be a while before anyone can tell whether they’ll flinch before the ball is snapped or jump at the sight of a linebacker faking a blitz like they did on many occasions last season.

On a team that still has question marks at other offensive positions the line will have to be shored up at least in terms of definite starters before the start of the season. Garcia won’t be able to get out of Spurrier’s dog house on his back, and highly touted recruit Marcus Lattimore won’t be able to wow the crowd on the ground if he can’t get past the line of scrimmage.

So while the offensive line remains a question mark, Elliot and company are doing everything they can to turn it into an answer. For Gamecock nation, hopefully that answer is a loud one.