2011 Gamecock Football: Marcus Lattimore and Others Could Bring Home Hardware

When it comes to sports, there is one thing that athletes and fans alike love more than anything else: hardware.  In team sports, not only do we relish championship trophies, but individual accolades as well. 

The athletic staff in Columbia, South Carolina may want to begin making some more room in the trophy case, because some serious hardware may need to be put on display at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

For our look at some potential Gamecock trophy-hounds let’s start with a glance at 2010’s National Freshman of the year, Marcus Lattimore.   For those who lived under a rock last season, Lattimore lead the Gamecocks in rushing with nearly 1200 yards and 17 scores, not bad for any SEC running back, let alone a true freshman.

Anyone who has watched this guy play can say that he is a force of nature.  His blend of size, vision, and athleticism make him a nightmare to coach against; just ask any defensive coordinator in the SEC, particularly in the East.

Coach Spurrier will rely on Lattimore to carry a big load for the Carolina offense this fall, and expect Mr. Lattimore to answer the call.  Running behind a solid offensive line, he will be a statistical machine all season long.

When it comes to hardware, Lattimore will have his chance to contribute to the Carolina trophy case.  He has been placed on the Maxwell Award watch list already, and he could be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy.  His name will be right in the mix for the Doak Walker Award as well.  Marcus Lattimore is a household name in the southeast already; expect that to expand from coast to coast this season.

When Lattimore isn’t pounding defenses inside, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be burning them deep downfield.   This All-American is the perfect complement to a bruising running back.  Jeffery possesses both size and speed and is a mismatch for nearly every cornerback he faces.

Jeffery used that size and speed en route to snagging 88 passes for over 1500 yards in 2010, and those stats could very well increase in 2011 due to his natural talent and strong work ethic.  After already being named a finalist for the Biletnikoff last season, Jeffery has all of the ability to reach that mark again, and even improve to being the award’s winner. 

Expect Jeffery to continue rewriting the receiving record book this season.  Don’t be surprised in January when the name Alshon Jeffery as at the top of every receiving record at South Carolina.

While the offensive playmakers are doing their job, don’t overlook some serious gamers on the defensive side of the ball in the likes of defensive end Devin Taylor and cornerback Stephon Gilmore both of whom are on the watch list for both the Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Taylor was an All-SEC performer in 2010 on the defensive line after packing up a U-Haul and moving into the offensive backfield.  He was a nightmare of the edge with 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a sophomore.  His unique blend of height and quickness put opposing offensive tackles at a disadvantage all season, and that will be the case in 2011.

Gilmore, an All-SEC performer in his own right, lead the Gamecocks in tackles last season with 79.  Throw in a few picks and batted balls, and one can begin to understand that Gilmore has the ability to throw a wrench in any offensive coordinator’s plans.  Gilmore has started every game since he arrived on campus, and that experience will pay huge dividends this fall.

With all of this potential to bring home some individual accolades, there will be some serious talk about bringing home some big team hardware at the season’s end.  Can the Gamecocks bring home the SEC crown?

Yes.

To quote John Madden: “Big players make big plays in big games,” and that’s what these guys will do all season for the Gamecocks.  Throw in the other 18 starters all with their own talents and skills they bring to the table and Carolina could be bringing home a nice piece of what would be school history to add to the trophy case.