Fansided

SEC Football 2017: Biggest x-factor for every team

By Trey Daubert

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Nick Saban (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Nick Saban (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 14
Next
BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 29: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) runs for a first down during the 2016 Birmingham Bowl between the South Carolina Gamecocks and South Florida Bulls on December 29, 2016, at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by Scott Donaldson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 29: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) runs for a first down during the 2016 Birmingham Bowl between the South Carolina Gamecocks and South Florida Bulls on December 29, 2016, at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by Scott Donaldson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

South Carolina – Deebo Samuel

South Carolina seems to be moving in the right direction. While their head coach Will Muschamp is a defensive minded head coach, South Carolina has some offensive play makers that could turn their season around. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is South Carolina’s x-factor in 2017. Samuel also adds value in the return game as well taking a touchdown to the house on a kickoff return in 2016.

South Carolina really took a step forward a year ago when Freshman Jake Bentley took over as the starter. After an abysmal start to the season, Bentley led the Gamecocks to a 4-3 record proving to be a capable quarterback in the SEC. His 9:4 touchdown to interception ratio as a Freshman isn’t too shabby either. Samuel’s production skyrockets with the insertion of Bentley under center. Samuel and the rest of the receiving core will have to produce for South Carolina to stay relevant in 2017.

Samuel, 6-foot and 203 pounds, has NFL potential. After a 71-catch, 944-yard season, it’s possible that he declares following his upcoming Junior season. This is a guy that is multi-faceted who scored six touchdowns on the ground as well. If you’re looking for your present day version of Percy Harvin in the SEC, well, Samuel is your player to watch. Samuel has also run the wildcat quarterback spot in college to create even more fascination in the South Carolina offense. There really isn’t anything Samuel can’t do, he’s just a playmaker that every college football team would love to have.

Home/College Football