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South Carolina football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

By John Buhler

Ryan Hilinski, South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Ryan Hilinski, South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina Gamecocks
Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

South Carolina football depth chart analysis.

If South Carolina played in another conference, surely, the talent on its roster would be fully maximized. Then again, the same principle could apply if they had someone like the Head Ball Coach leading their football team. Regardless of how you feel about Will Muschamp, South Carolina has plenty of players to be excited about watching this season.

Though other teams in the SEC are deeper than them, the Gamecocks have enough frontline talent to be competitive in most of the games they play this season. If a few overachieve, this team can surpass its otherwise low expectations for 2020. Here is the offensive and defensive depth chart for South Carolina. Depth charts are from Ourlads.com.

Offense

  • Quarterback: Ryan Hilinski (SO), Collin Hill (GR)
  • Running Back: Kevin Harris (SO)
  • Wide Receiver: Shi Smith (SR), Mike Wyman (FR)
  • Wide Receiver: Josh Vann (JR), OrTre Smith (RS JR)
  • Wide Receiver: Xavier Legette (SO), Dakereon Joyner (RS SO)
  • Tight End: Nick Muse (SR/TR), Will Register (RS JR)
  • Left Tackle: Jakai Moore (RS JR), Jaylen Nichols (SO)
  • Left Guard: Sadarius Hutcherson (RS SR), Eric Douglas (RS JR)
  • Center: Hank Manos (RS SO), Vincent Murphy (RS FR)
  • Right Guard: Jovaughn Gwyn (RS SO)
  • Right Tackle: Dylan Wonnum (JR), Jazston Turnetine (JR/TR)

The strength of this offense is firmly at the quarterback position. Ryan Hilinski emerged last season, forcing former starter Jake Bentley to transfer to the Utah Utes. How is that working out? Coming in to serve as a high-end backup to Hilinski is Collin Hill formerly of the Colorado State Rams as a graduate, following his former head coach Mike Bobo over from Fort Collins.

On paper, South Carolina should have balance on offense. There are upperclassmen starting at most positions. If we are going to nitpick one position group that might be a sign of weakness, it has to be the offensive interior. Center Hank Manos is only a redshirt sophomore with a redshirt freshman Vincent Murphy backing him up. At right guard is redshirt sophomore Jovaughn Gwyn.

Defense

  • Defensive End: Aaron Sterling (SR), Jordan Burch (FR)
  • Defensive Tackle: Zacch Pickens (SO), Rick Sandidge (JR)
  • Defensive Tackle: Keir Thomas (RS SR), Kingsley Enagbare (JR)
  • BUCK: Brad Johnson (RS JR), Rodricus Fitten (RS FR)
  • Weakside Linebacker: Jahmar Brown (SO), Mohamed Kaba (FR)
  • Middle Linebacker: Ernest Jones (JR), Rosendo Louis Jr. (RS SO)
  • Strongside Linebacker: Sherrod Greene (SR), Damani Staley (SR)
  • Left Cornerback: Jaycee Horn (JR), John Dixon (SO)
  • Safety: Jammie Robinson (SO), Shilo Sanders (RS FR)
  • Safety: R.J. Roderick (JR), Jaylin Dickerson (RS JR)
  • Right Cornerback: Israel Mukuamu (JR), Cam Smith (RS FR)

Though Javon Kinlaw has left this South Carolina defense, the new leader of the bunch has to be ball-hawking junior cornerback Israel Mukuamu. With his brilliant game vs. Georgia, it propelled the Gamecocks to a shocking victory. He is supported by other playmakers in what should be a good secondary featuring junior Jaycee Horn opposite him and R.J. Roderick at one of the safety spots.

If there is a way to exploit the South Carolina defense, it might be attacking the Gamecocks right in the middle of it. Jahmar Brown and Mohamed Kaba make up the weakside linebacker rotation. While Ernest Jones is a junior, he is backed up by a redshirt sophomore in Rosendo Louis Jr. South Carolina should be alright defensively, but the Gamecocks definitely have a few holes to patch up.

Impact Freshmen

Mike Wyman has a chance to be a massively impactful player on offense for the Gamecocks. The four-star recruit out of Greensboro, North Carolina may be behind senior Shi Smith on the depth chart, but he’s already getting first-team reps on offense. With catches to be had with Bryan Edwards now playing in the NFL, look for the promising freshman Wyman to take advantage.

Jordan Burch was the only five-star recruit South Carolina landed in the last recruiting cycle. He was the No. 1 player from South Carolina, the No. 2 defensive end in the country and the No. 8 overall prospect. His commitment to the Gamecocks was strange, but the Columbia, South Carolina native choosing to stay home is to the benefit of everyone involved with the program.