South Carolina Gamecock Skill Position Players: Grades at the Half

As a teacher, I enjoy giving grades—especially good ones.

However, kids sometime earn grades that are less than stellar. 

That said, grades are a tool, and they help people grow and become better students.

In my fictional report card, I give the players at the skill positions (quarterback, wide receiver and running back) a letter grade in production, consistency, importance to the team and efficiency.

Quarterbacks

Stephen Garcia

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
B	C	A	B	3.0 (B)

Stephen has had an interesting year. He seems to be right on the verge of becoming a star, and then he does something boneheaded. 

He has decent statistics in terms of production. With 1,326 yards and 10 touchdowns, he can make big plays. However, for every two good plays, he makes a bad one, it seems.

He is extremely important to the team, however. If Garcia has a great game, the Gamecocks generally win. He completes close to 70 percent of his passes and gains a healthy 10 yards per attempt. His efficiency is above average.

Connor Shaw

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
C	C	D	C	1.75 (D+)

It isn't really fair to give Connor a grade, because technically his report card should say incomplete. However, he has seen enough action. 

He hasn't produced a whole lot given his limited playing time. He is responsible for a touchdown and some clutch runs.

He has thrown two interceptions, which lowers his consistency and efficiency. He has the tendency to just sort of toss it to Alshon Jeffery, which really makes South Carolina easier to defend. Completing 66.7 percent of his passes is a positive.

Running Backs

Marcus Lattimore

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
A	B	A	B	3.5 (B+)

Marcus is an 18-year-old yet is having himself a fine season. Obviously, his production is an A. He is responsible for 12 touchdowns. His importance is also an A, seeing as how when he left against Kentucky the whole team fell apart.

His efficiency lowers a bit because his 4.4 yards per carry average isn't really that great. He also disappeared against Auburn and Furman, which lowers his consistency.

He is still a solid B+.

Brian Maddox

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
D	D	C	B	1.75 (D+)

Maddox, the one-time starter, has shown flashes of brilliance (such as the Auburn game). However, he has only produced 85 yards and a touchdown. He is more important as a fullback, and you could see his lack of consistency against the Kentucky Wildcats.

He does average a solid 5.3 on the ground...almost a yard higher than Marcus.

Kenny Miles

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
F	C	D	F	0.75 (F+)

Poor Kenny Miles. He has been a bit under-appreciated this year. Hopefully, after his first start at Vandy, he will get these grades up.

He only has 34 yards with no touchdowns. He only averages 3.7 yards per carry. This isn't his fault. Hopefully, he will get another chance to shine.

Wide Receivers

Alshon Jeffery

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
A	A	A	A	4.00 (A)

Was there any doubt who the current valedictorian is? From his production (690 yards and five touchdowns) to his 17.3 yards per reception, Alshon Jeffery is a monster in every conceivable way.

Tori Gurley

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
C	D	A	C	2.25 (C)

Tori is a nice complement to Alshon with his big frame and improved catching. However, he tends to disappear at big moments, mostly because of Garcia's reliance on Alshon.

He is still extremely important to the team and partially responsible for all of Jeffery's success. He is dangerous enough to warrant defenses to have to concentrate on him.

Ace Sanders

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
C	F	C	B	1.75 (D+)

Ace is a year or two away from being one of the SEC's best players. Mark it down. He is the next Alshon, Sidney Rice or Kenny McKinley. He has shown great hands, and he is one of the fastest players on the team.

He has had big games (Southern Mississippi) and games where he pretty much was a non-factor (Auburn). Steve Spurrier said he needs to get more touches, and this is true. When he gets his hands on the ball, usually something good happens.

D.L. Moore

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
C	D	D	C	1.5 (D+)

Moore is a nice No. 4 receiver. He plays behind three really good receivers yet has still caught two touchdown passes and has shown a knack for getting open in the end zone.

Lamar Scruggs

Production	Consistency	Importance	Efficiency	GPA
F	D	F	A	1.5 (D+)

Scruggs will forever be known as that receiver they targeted at the end of the Kentucky game. He only has two catches on the year, but they did go for 22.5 yards as an average.

He is buried too far down the depth chart to make much of an impact.

And there you have it.

No surprises. Jeffery is the valedictorian, with Marcus Lattimore the salutatorian. Stephen Garcia makes the honor roll.

Let us see how this shakes up at the end of the season.