South Carolina Football 2011: Alshon Jeffery and the S. Carolina Receivers
South Carolina fans, you have something to celebrate with this wide receiver group.
While Alshon Jeffery is certainly the best of the bunch, and potentially the best in the country, there are other receivers in this group that can contribute greatly.
Every player has something they can offer the program, and there is some great talent ready to replace Alshon when he leaves for the NFL.
Hopefully, the group can live up to it's lofty potential.
For more information about South Carolina's roster, visit:
Alshon Jeffery
1 of 11
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 233
Year: Junior
Pros: Hands, leaping ability, toughness, spectacular catch, run after the catch, catching in traffic
Cons: Doesn't have breakaway speed, but is plenty fast.
Just like the running back slide show, we have a legitimate star to open with.
Alshon Jeffery is one of the best receivers to ever play for South Carolina, which actually has a fairly deep history of solid receivers.
He is built like a tight end, but has receiver skills. He is a mismatch for most corners, and tough enough to handle the safeties in the middle.
If the quarterback can get the ball anywhere near him, nine times out of ten, he will come down with the ball.
A darkhorse Heisman candidate, and top three NCAA receiver, Alshon will catch his fair share of balls.
Jason Barnes
2 of 11
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 213
Year: Senior
Pros: Solid hands, blocking ability, great attitude
Cons: Not an explosive player, little production for a senior
The second of three Gamecock starters, Barnes is the "old man" of the group. As a red-shirt senior starter, you would assume Barnes would have at least decent numbers.
He doesn't. However, no matter how little action Barnes has seen over the years, he has been a contributor, and a positive locker room voice.
He finally gets another chance to start, and he has the skills to be a very good Tori Gurley replacement. He catches the ball well, and he definitely fits the mold of a possession receiver.
Don't expect many big plays from Barnes, but expect solid chain-moving contributions.
D.L. Moore
3 of 11
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 212
Year: Junior
Pros: Very quick, good after the catch, great size and body positioning
Cons: Experience, route running
D.L. Moore is like a mini Alshon Jeffery. He uses his body to make grabs, and seems to work the sidelines well.
However, he doesn't have great experience as a starter, and it will be interesting to see if he actually starts the season as the slot receiver starter with some much faster targets available.
He is capable of being a starter and producing big plays.
DeAngelo Smith
4 of 11
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 191
Year: Sophomore
Pros: Quick, athletic, catching in traffic
Cons: Injured almost all of 2010, limited game experience
The spring game offensive player for 2011, Smith showed an explosive and amazing ability to go up and catch the football.
He scored three touchdowns of varying degrees of awesomeness during the garnet and black game.
He is listed as the primary backup to Alshon Jeffery... but if his stellar performance carries over to the fall practices, look for him to push for one of the starting spots.
Ace Sanders
5 of 11
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 173
Year: Sophomore
Pros: Speed, speed, and speed, quickness, agility
Cons: Vision, route running, ability to catch in traffic, size
A player who showed flashes of absolute brilliance last year, then seemed to disappear, a great deal is expected out of Ace Sanders for his sophomore campaign.
One of the fastest players on a very fast wide receiver group, Sanders will be needed to truly stretch the field.
An excellent runner, the ball needs to be in his hands.
Nick Jones
6 of 11
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 189
Year: Redshirt Freshman
Pros: Speed, Agility, Toughness
Cons: Lack of experience
Not much is known about the collegiate potential of Nick Jones, but the cieling is high.
Very similar to Ace Sanders, Jones is a burner, and is a fluid wide receiver. He was a critical member of Marcus Lattimore's Byrnes team, and should contribute this year.
Lamar Scruggs
7 of 11
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 226
Year: Sophomore
Pros: Speed, size
Cons: Concentration, hands, lack of consistency
A 4-star recruit coming out of high school, Scruggs was supposed to be one of South Carolina's next big targets.
A great mix of speed and size, he has the build to be a great receiver. However, in 12 games last year he only caught three passes.
They went for almost 18 yards each, so the big play potential is definitely there. If he works on getting himself open, he could be a big time player in the offense.
Bryce Sherman
8 of 11
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 157
Year: Junior
Pros: Running ability, speed, agility, toughness
Cons: Size, no way he can go across the middle constantly without getting hurt
A fan favorite, Bryce "Sherminator" Sherman makes the switch from running back to wide receiver, and he has earned himself a spot on the roster for post spring.
He has decent hands, which will neither be a strength or a weakness, but the coaches will try to utilze his blazing speed and running ability.
He is a definite target for reverses or wide receiver screens.
Damiere Byrd
9 of 11
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165
Year: Incoming Freshman
Pros: ELITE speed, agilty, quickness
Cons: Raw as a wide receiver
A four star recruit, Damiere Byrd is a track star who had some great years in football utilizing his speed.
His speed will still be elite at the next level, but his hands and technique will need work to be a star, which is his goal.
He could be redshirted, and probably should be, but his insane speed may be too much for coach Spurrier to keep off the field.
Shamier Jeffery
10 of 11
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 195
Year: Incoming freshman
Pros: Athleticism, vision, agility, good pedigree (Alshon's brother)
Cons: Not actually a wide receiver in HS, may take time to learn the position
Shamier Jeffery is an interesting prospect. He is an excellent physical speciman and has his brother to show him the ropes.
Having a brother like Alshon Jeffery (who is one of the hardest workers on the team) can do nothing but positives.
He was a quarterback in high school, and a good one at that. However, he is making the switch to take advantage of his size and athleticism.
He may also redshirt.
Overall: B+
11 of 11
This group is very deep, but a great deal of it is reliant on potential. If even one of these players steps up and produces, this group could easily be an A+.
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