To-Do List for the South Carolina Gamecocks Offseason: Retool the secondary and rebuild the OL.

The South Carolina Gamecocks football program has made significant strides over the past few seasons under the leadership of head coach Shane Beamer. The 2023 season saw the Gamecocks improve on multiple fronts, and while they managed to stay competitive within the tough SEC landscape, it’s clear that key areas of improvement remain. Heading into the offseason, two of the most pressing needs for the Gamecocks are to retool the secondary and rebuild the offensive line.

These areas will be critical to the team’s success moving forward, and addressing them should be top priorities for South Carolina as they head into the offseason. This article will outline why these positions need to be addressed, who might be involved in the overhaul, and what steps the Gamecocks should take to put themselves in a strong position for the 2024 season.

1. Retooling the Secondary

One of the most glaring weaknesses of the 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks was their secondary. The Gamecocks ranked near the bottom in pass defense within the SEC, which was a significant factor in some of their losses. South Carolina struggled to consistently defend the pass against high-powered offenses, and several games were marked by defensive breakdowns in the secondary.

While the Gamecocks’ defense as a whole showed improvement, particularly in the front seven, the secondary failed to live up to expectations. With talented quarterbacks like Jalen Milroe from Alabama, Hendon Hooker from Tennessee, and others littering the SEC landscape, it’s imperative that South Carolina strengthens this area if they are to compete at a higher level.

Key Areas for Improvement

1. Cornerback Play: One of the main issues in the secondary was poor cornerback play. South Carolina struggled to find consistent coverage from its corners, especially when facing elite wide receivers. In many games, the Gamecocks were unable to keep up with fast, physical receivers who had the ability to break free on deep routes. Cam Smith, who was drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, left a huge gap at the cornerback position, and while the team had some solid contributors, it wasn’t enough to provide the level of consistency needed.

   South Carolina should focus on adding high-level cornerback recruits or transfer portal players with experience. Bringing in experienced players who can lock down receivers and reduce big plays will be critical in ensuring that the secondary performs at an elite level next season.

2. Safety Play and Communication: Another area of concern was the safety play. Although players like Jaylan Foster and RJ Roderick brought leadership and experience to the defense, there were times when miscommunication in the backfield led to big plays. South Carolina has some talented young players at safety, but the lack of experience at the position often showed on game day. To help retool the secondary, the Gamecocks should focus on improving communication and adding talent at safety through recruiting or the transfer portal.
3. Depth and Depth Development: The Gamecocks had some injuries at cornerback and safety last season, which exposed the lack of depth in the secondary. Rebuilding the secondary will require depth development, ensuring that the Gamecocks have quality backups who can step up in the event of injuries or poor performances.

   Developing younger players and ensuring that the defensive backs are well-coached and ready to take on tough SEC offenses will be crucial. Additionally, South Carolina should look to add depth through recruiting or the transfer portal, where experienced players can add much-needed talent to the secondary.

Steps to Take

• Recruitment and Transfer Portal: South Carolina should target elite cornerbacks and safeties in their recruiting class. If top recruits are unavailable, the transfer portal is a viable option to bring in immediate help, particularly with so many experienced players entering the portal each year.
• Focus on Development: Coaching will be critical to improving the secondary. Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray needs to continue developing younger players, particularly in terms of fundamentals and mental discipline. Work on turnovers and coverage techniques will be crucial to success.
• Strengthen Communication: During the offseason, the secondary needs to work on communication drills and situational awareness, especially when facing high-powered offenses. Safety and cornerback units need to be on the same page at all times to avoid breakdowns.

2. Rebuilding the Offensive Line

South Carolina’s offensive line has been a constant topic of conversation in recent years. Though the unit showed flashes of improvement at times, it still remains a significant weak spot for the Gamecocks. Pass protection, in particular, has been a major issue, with quarterbacks like Spencer Rattler often facing pressure from opposing defenses. Additionally, the run game has also struggled at times, with the offensive line failing to create consistent lanes for the running backs.

In a league like the SEC, where defenses are as fast and powerful as any in the country, a strong offensive line is crucial for sustained success. South Carolina’s offensive line needs to be rebuilt to ensure better pass protection and more effective run blocking.

Key Areas for Improvement

1. Pass Protection: The Gamecocks allowed a significant amount of sacks and pressures in 2023, especially in big games. Protecting Spencer Rattler, who can sometimes hold onto the ball longer than necessary, is a priority. Improving pass-blocking fundamentals and ensuring that the offensive line can hold up against some of the best defensive fronts in the SEC will be key.

   South Carolina should work on improving their pass protection schemes, including making adjustments to the offensive line’s footwork and hand placement. Teaching linemen to be more disciplined in their assignments and to focus on quick releases in the passing game will help keep Rattler upright and give him time to make plays.

2. Run Blocking and Consistency: Another major concern for South Carolina was their ability to run the football consistently. While MarShawn Lloyd showed flashes of brilliance, the Gamecocks often struggled to gain yards on the ground when it mattered most. Improving run blocking should be a major focal point in the offseason, as a productive running game will take pressure off Rattler and give the offense a balanced approach.

   The offensive line must focus on creating lane discipline and combination blocking to free up running backs. The ability to push defensive lines off the ball, especially in short-yardage situations, is essential to giving the offense more options.

3. Depth and Player Development: Injuries along the offensive line were a concern for the Gamecocks last season, further hindering their ability to establish continuity. Adding depth to the offensive line and improving the development of younger players is vital. South Carolina should focus on building a deep and talented offensive line that can compete at the highest level.

   Recruiting offensive line talent should be one of the top priorities for South Carolina. Additionally, strengthening the developmental program for younger linemen will ensure that the Gamecocks have more viable options in the trenches.

Steps to Take

• Recruitment and Transfer Portal: South Carolina should target top offensive line recruits for both the short and long term. Finding highly rated offensive linemen who can play right away will help bridge the gap for the Gamecocks. If there are opportunities in the transfer portal, South Carolina should consider targeting veteran linemen who can immediately contribute and help the unit gel.
• Fundamental Improvement: Offensive line coach Greg Adkins should focus on improving the basic fundamentals of each lineman. Strengthening footwork, hand placement, and pad level will help the Gamecocks establish better control on both the pass and run game.
• Building Depth and Versatility: The Gamecocks need to ensure that they have depth at every offensive line position, especially tackle and guard. Building versatile players who can fill multiple roles on the line will provide the flexibility necessary to adjust to injuries and depth issues during the season.

 Addressing the Needs for Success

Heading into the offseason, the South Carolina Gamecocks have clear goals: retool the secondary and rebuild the offensive line. These two areas of focus will play a large role in how the Gamecocks perform in the upcoming season and beyond.

Improving the secondary will give South Carolina a better chance to compete against the high-powered offenses of the SEC, while rebuilding the offensive line will provide Spencer Rattler with the protection he needs to be effective and help the offense succeed. By focusing on these key areas, the Gamecocks can build on their recent success and position themselves as a contender in the SEC for the future.

The 2024 offseason will be critical for South Carolina to achieve their goals and make the necessary strides to become a stronger, more complete team.