South Carolina Football: Predicting South Carolina's All-SEC Players

As the All-Conference and All-American awards start coming in, South Carolina should have quite a few players on the roster for the All-SEC awards. 

South Carolina has many impact players and they all deserve spots on this list.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if South Carolina had quite a few first team All-SEC players. 

Of course, there are some bubble players, and players who's worth can't be reflected in statistics (Alshon Jeffery) who may not make the squad. 

Here are my best guesses as to which Gamecocks make the All-SEC team. 

Stephon Gilmore, CB

Best Guess:  First Team All-SEC

I am not as enamored with Stephon Gilmore as I was his freshman year.  He is still a great corner, however, and voters are enamored with him. 

He is also a likely candidate for All-American honors (possibly third team). 

Melvin Ingram, DE

Best Guess: First Team All-SEC and League Defensive MVP

Melvin Ingram has put together a dominant season.  He did trail off a bit at the end, but the accolades should come rolling in. 

He is also a smart bet for first or second team All-American.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Best Guess:  Second Team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year

Clowney has lived up to his tremendous hype and should be the winner of the defensive freshman award.  He has six sacks and six forced fumbles.  He is a force to be reckoned with. 

Antonio Allen, LB, S

Best Guess: 1st Team All-SEC

With 82 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered and three interceptions (including a touchdown return), Antonio Allen has done everything in his power to help the Gamecocks win.  At worst he's a second-team player, but he should be first.

The question is, where?  He is listed as a spur player, which is a hybrid safety/linebacker. 

Devin Taylor, DE

Best Guess: Third Team All-SEC

Devin Taylor is the forgotten man on the Gamecocks' defensive line, and it will drop him to third team All-SEC when he probably should be second.  With five sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, 37 tackles and two fumble recoveries, he has still been a game changer.

D.J. Swearinger, S

Best Guess:  Third Team All-SEC

73 tackles, three picks and consistency should get D.J. Swearinger onto the All-SEC team. 

Travian Robertson, DT

Best Guess:  Third Team All-SEC

Possibly the most athletic defensive tackle in the SEC, he should not be ignored when people cast their SEC ballot.  45 tackles, 6.5 for loss and two sacks make him a great inside man. 

Alshon Jeffery, WR

Best Guess:  Second Team All-SEC

I understand his statistics are down but, even in a "down" year, he is tied for fourth in touchdowns, and seventh in yards in the SEC. 

Plus, the voters will recognize his skill and ability.  Worst case scenario, he is a third team All-SEC performer. 

Marcus Lattimore, RB

Best Guess: 3rd Team-All SEC

Guess what?  Marcus Lattimore is third in the conference in Touchdowns with 10 and fifth in yards.  Even missing as many games as he has, he is still a legit All-SEC player. 

He may not get in because of his injury, but the stats don't lie.  In seven games, he still stacks up well against guys who played 12. 

He probably won't make it, but he should.

Terence Campbell

Best Guess:  Third Team All-SEC

He has been a great leader for a line that actually played pretty well towards the end of the year.  He has been solid, and definitely earned a spot here.

Future All-SEC Players

There are also some young men on the team that I believe will see All-SEC seasons soon.  These players showed the potential to be great.

They are:

Connor Shaw

Brandon Wilds

A.J. Cann

Victor Hampton

Kelcy Quarles

Mike Matulis

Sheldon Royster