Success for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team on the gridiron hinges on success on the ground for Coach Steve Spurrier’s offense in 2011. The Gamecocks must present a balanced attack to have any chance to repeat as SEC East Division champs. In saying that, the South Carolina football team has an excellent chance to get back to Atlanta for another shot at the SEC crown due to their running back named Marcus Lattimore. He is the “horse” that Spurrier is going to ride into the sunset and having Lattimore gives USC a legitimate shot at making winning a habit in Columbia in 2011.
Let’s take a look at the running back stable for the South Carolina Gamecocks this upcoming season:
Marcus Lattimore (Sophomore / 6’0” 231 lbs.) – As a freshman, Lattimore immediately energized he Gamecocks offensive attack in the 2010 season having compiled 1,197 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 249 carries. He is the unquestioned the real deal; the only things that can slow him down in 2011 are an injury or a poor offensive line and let’s not expect either to occur. Teams will try to stack the box but with weapons at receiver they cannot afford to, hence the importance of a balanced attack in 2011. Expect to continue to hear Heisman and Lattimore in the same sentence in 2011 and let’s hope the sophomore can make his mark on the game.
Kenny Miles (RS Junior / 5’10” 184 lbs.) – He is a solid number two and has the talent to be a worthy change of pace back that Spurrier needs in relief of Marcus Lattimore. Miles has accepted this role after a stint as the starter “pre-Lattimore” and expect him to play hard when given the chance as he makes the offense better. If an opposing defense thinks they can let up when he is in for Lattimore, he will burn you.
Eric Baker (RS Junior / 5’11” 204 lbs.) – Bitten by the injury bug way too many times, Eric Baker has the talent but has not had the chance to display it. Unfortunately, there are two players ahead of him that will get the reps before he has the opportunity. What you can expect is Baker to shine when given the chance; it just may be few and far between.
Joshua Blue (Freshman / 5’6” 178 lbs.) – Don’t expect a lot from Mr. Blue as he will see time on the scout team. He is a walk-on that enrolled in January.
Jacob Baker (RS Junior / 5’9” 191 lbs.) – A player that will not see a lot of real field action as a running back unless the sky falls but will contribute on special teams as a member of the kickoff unit.
Josh Hinch (RS Senior / 5’7” 180 lbs.) – A former walk-on who use to play for MidAmerica Nazarene, an NAIA school in Olathe, Kansas. He has speed but will likely just be able to put that to use as a member of the scout team.
Shon Carson (Freshman / 5’9” 195 lbs.) – This incoming freshman may never see Williams Brice Stadium due to him potentially getting drafted by a Major League team in the upcoming draft. If he does choose to give football a chance then expect him to get a redshirt in 2011 due to depth at running back despite his 4.4 speed. He presents the future for South Carolina at this position but before talk of that commences let’s see what he says to the MLB team that drafts him.
Brandon Wilds (Freshman / 6’0″ 217 lbs.) – Another incoming freshman that will get a redshirt.
As you can see, lots of faces at running back but make no mistake about it, this is the Marcus Lattimore show. Lattimore will be fed a healthy dose of carries in 2011 as Spurrier looks to the ground game to get the football squad back to the SEC Championship game. In Lattimore, Gamecock Nation trusts.
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