Offensive Pre-Season Camp Newcomer Standouts

The Gamecocks have entered game week as USC prepares for East Carolina out of Conference USA. Before I dive into USC/ECU breakdowns, let’s take a look at some highlights of pre-season camp out on the Proving Grounds. The Gamecocks welcomed one of the most athletic and decorated recruiting classes to USC in the Steve Spurrier era. Names like Jadeveon Clowney, Phillip Dukes, Kelcy Quarles and Brandon Shell were all players to get excited about in this class especially on defense. While Clowney has not disappointed, there are some names from the 2011 recruiting class that have turned some heads which non-recruit-niks (unlike me) would not recognize. Here are some offensive standouts in Gamecocks camp.

1) Wide Receiver Damiere Byrd (Sicklerville, New Jersey): Byrd came into school a renowned high school track star with world class speed that played football. He is one of the offensive newcomers that continue to be singled out by coaches as USC ends pre-season camp. Byrd has already laid claim to the fastest Gamecock football player (reportedly runs sub 4.3/40 yard dash & edged out CB Marty Markett, former fastest Gamecock, in a foot race) but surprising to his coaches and teammates, Byrd’s track speed translates over to the football field. Byrd catches the ball well, executes solid, fundamental route running and regularly gets behind the defensive secondary with his elite speed. Byrd will finally add an element of superior speed to Spurrier’s offense this year and should pose a legitimate down field threat in the vertical passing attack for USC’s starting quarterback.

2) Running Back Shon Carson (Lake City, SC): Carson came to USC as a duo sport star in baseball and football. He was drafted in the 44th round by the Cincinnati Reds and quite frankly was expected to redshirt this year with USC’s backfield already crowded with Marcus Lattimore, Kenny Miles and Eric Baker. Somehow Carson never got the redshirt memo and currently has cemented himself as the #2 RB behind Lattimore eclipsing Miles as the back-up to #21. Carson brings a dimension of speed & quickness to the Carolina offense and provides a change of pace option when Lattimore needs a breather. Per practice observations, Carson for only being 5’8” is a powerful runner between the tackles and has the quickest burst of any RB on the roster. Carson also demonstrates above excellent skills catching the football.

3) Wide Receiver KJ Brent (Waxhaw, NC): Brent came to USC (first recruit to commit in the 2011 class) with a reputation of being a long, jump ball type of prospect. Brent is 6’4” around 190 pounds and has been a pleasant surprise since he was an overshadowed recruit in the 2011 class by Byrd and Shamier Jeffery. Brent has impressed his coaches and teammates with the uncanny ability to catch everything thrown to him and his polished route running coming out of high school. In years past Brent would definitely play, but the 2011 Gamecocks’ roster is stacked at the WR position, so Brent will get a chance to gain strength & weight under Coach Craig Fitzgerald in the S&C program.

4) Wide Receiver/Kick-Off Returner Bruce Ellington (Berkeley, SC): Last time we saw Ellington playing football was in December 2009 at Williams-Brice as he led his Berkeley High Stags to a 4-A state championship title and being named the runner-up for the Mr. Football award to Marcus Lattimore. By all accounts Ellington brings a lot of quickness and speed to the slot receiver position which has been severely lacking in Spurrier’s first six seasons. Now Ellington is expected to show some rust (he played basketball only in 2010/2011 Spring semester at USC) since he has not played football since December 2009, but look for him to bring a dynamic upgrade to the Kick-Off Return game, the Wildcock formation and the slot WR position. I think Ellington will get most of his PT at the QB position running the Wildcock and SPT’s until he becomes more familiar with the WR position. Ellington didn’t come over to the football team to sit the bench so you can be assured USC’s coaches will design schemes for him to utilize his athleticism whether at QB, WR or KR Return man on the gridiron.

5) RB Brandon Wilds (Blythewood, SC): Wilds came to Carolina sort of a forgotten man with all the hype surrounding more highly regarded teammates in the 2011 class. But Wilds has grabbed the attention of RB Coach Jay Graham and HC Steve Spurrier with Wilds’ performance up to this point in pre-season camp. Wilds is a big back at 6’2”/230 pounds with quickness and deceptive speed. He is built similar to Brian Maddox except quicker and faster. Coaches have mentioned Wilds prominently post-scrimmages and expect the true freshman to make contributions on Special Teams mostly in 2011. He brings an added physical dimension to the running game similar to Lattimore. I am not sure Wilds get many carries on offense but I believe the newcomer from Blythewood avoids a redshirt.

Next feature I will look at a few freshmen on defense that have stood out through pre-season camp.