South Carolina Football: 10 Benchmarks for Spring Success

The spring signifies the beginning of a new football season. Teams start with a fresh slate, excited about the prospects of a new year and new goals. 

They also start with a new slate of questions to be answered and issues to be resolved. The spring practices and spring games can go a long way in making the team a success. Teams that work hard during this period will find themselves in a much better position in the fall. 

Here are the Gamecocks' 10 benchmarks that they should try to reach by the end of spring practice.

Stay Injury-Free

The most important benchmark of the entire spring process is trying to remain injury-free.  South Carolina has a deep and talented team, but to have the perfect season and try to win the SEC, they need to be at 100 percent. 

Work out the Linebacker/Spur/Safety Conundrum

South Carolina has an interesting position called the "Spur." It plays like a roving safety/linebacker combo. With it comes its own set of problems. 

Players have to have a special skill set. They must be able to tackle in space and be aggressive like a linebacker, but also have the coverage skills and awareness of a safety.

Devonte Holloman should play at spur, but has been needed at safety. Someone needs to step up to the safety position in the spring so Holloman can take the spur position.  

Establish a Defensive Line Rotation

South Carolina is lucky enough to have Melvin Ingram's starting spot taken by a man you may have heard of.

His name is Jadeveon Clowney. 

He is paired up with Devin Taylor to create the fiercest pass-rushing duo in the SEC. Now, what about the defensive tackles and back-up positions? 

The Gamecocks have a wealth of fantastic young talent. It's going to be difficult to find a rotation that works. They may even need to bring out more situational packages to give the talent the opportunity to get on the field. 

Continue the Rehabilitation of Marcus Lattimore

The key to an SEC or National Championship for the Gamecocks is easy. If Marcus Lattimore is healthy and ready to go, the Gamecocks are a contender for the SEC and a dark-horse National Championship contender. 

If he isn't, then the Gamecocks will win eight to 11 games again. The Gamecocks must ensure that he's getting what he needs.

Establish the Running Back Pecking Order

With or without Marucs Lattimore, the running back group is loaded. However, the team needs to find ways to give all of these starting-caliber SEC backs the ball.

Who starts if Lattimore can't go? Who is the No. 2 if he can? What about the other three guys that could start?

Shon Carson was the No. 2 last year and has speed unlike any of the other backs. Brandon Wilds and Kenny Miles are both bruising backs with successful starting experience. Add to the mix incoming star freshman Mike Davis, and you have a conundrum. 

See Where All the Current Wide Receivers Stand

Last year, there was Alshon Jeffery. He was the guy. Before Alshon, there was Kenny McKinley. Before that, Sidney Rice. Before that, Troy Williamson. It's been a long time since South Carolina hasn't had a feature receiver. 

Now, we're entering a time when things are questionable. Ace Sanders is solid and could be great. Freshman Shaq Roland has potential, as does K.J. Brent. Shamiere Jeffery is also going to get a long look. 

Who steps up? This will be one of the most pressing questions asked during the spring.   

Get an Offensive Line Pieced Together

Gone are All-SEC players Kyle Nunn and Rokevious Watkins. In are newer players like redshirt freshman Brandon Shell and incoming freshman Brock Stadnik. It will be a younger group. A.J. Cann is a future star, as is Shell. 

The team needs to figure out the pieces so the team can begin working with its offensive line set. 

Find the Team's Starting Corners

Victor Hampton may be one of the most impressive athletes on the team. However, his off-field behavior is a concern. He seems to be doing better and is a lock to start. 

Who takes the other spot? It's wide open as a slew of role players and freshman battle it out for the spot left behind by Stephon Gilmore. The defensive backs must establish themselves, or it could be a very thin area in 2012. 

Find a Return Man

South Carolina has been lacking in the return game department for many years now. Bruce Ellington showed flashes of brilliance last year, but he's chosen to be a full-time basketball player. 

The Gamecocks must find a game-breaking returner. Damiere Byrd should get the first crack at it. His 4.26 speed and agility should strike fear into the hearts of defenses. 

Establish a Back-Up Quarteback

One of the great things about 2011 was that South Carolina felt very comfortable with their top two quarterbacks. 

Connor Shaw is now the only one with any sort of real experience. Will red-shirt freshman Tanner McEvoy get a shot? He's athletic and smart, but raw. Will true freshman Brendon Nosovitch come in and amaze? It's a long shot. 

Someone must step up behind Shaw.