By Ritch
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

When you think of South Carolina football you don’t think of the linebacking unit but the group is stacked with players who know how to play.

There is no superstar linebacker in the mix… just a handful
of veteran players who are hard-nosed and play overall smart football.

Some may point to the LB unit as a weakness for USC in 2011 due to no
big name jumping off the page when you look at the group of players on
paper. Don’t be fooled by that as the LB unit is stout and ready to
prove they can help USC repeat in the SEC East. Bolstered by the
return of two very good linebackers in Shaq Wilson and Rodney Paulk,
this group could be the anchor that the Gamecock defense needs to get
unprecedented results in 2011.

The unit did lose Josh Dickerson and Tony Straughter to graduation but
as you analyze this unit you will realize they are strong, tough and
ready to do what is necessary to win.

South Carolina’s scheme doesn’t include the traditional 3 or 4
linebacker names… there are middle linebackers, weakside linebackers
and a position called the Spur, which is a linebacker/safety hybrid.

Let’s look at the LB unit and who is in the mix –

WLB: Rodney Paulk (6th yr Sr 6’0” 229lbs.) – Rodney Paulk is
attempting to return from another injury plagued campaign and hold his
spot in the rotation. Paulk has fought off injuries throughout his
career, but still has the talent to produce. His intelligence
translates onto the field, where he often finds himself in the right
place at the right time. He was named a freshman All-American in 2006
so the ability is there just needs to remain injury-free in 2011.

WLB: Quin Smith (Jr 6’0” 230lbs.) – Some may say Quin is undersized
but he makes up for it with being very physical at the point of attack
and not afraid to try and take your head off. Smith has all of the
tools to become an excellent SEC linebacker. He lacks experience, but
he has the size, speed and strength to be great. He will push for
playing time and provides good depth at the LB spot.

WLB: DaMario Jeffery (Jr 6’3” 230lbs.) – Damario spent the first two
years of his career playing Spur LB which is a hybrid S/LB and as
expected he has outgrown the position. Damario is one of the more
underrated players on the defense. He could literally play any of the
linebacker spots, and has the athleticism and conditioning to bolster
depth by himself. With the move to WLB now being permanent, having
Jeffery in place upgrades the LB unit overall in 2011. Jeffery will
get his number called, what he does with it is yet to be determined
but expect him to be the “sleeper” out of this group.

MLB: Shaq Wilson (RS Jr 5’11” 233lbs.) – The 5’11”, 233 pound Wilson
suffered from a hamstring injury throughout much of 2010, but has a
ton of speed and is an excellent against the run, providing a solid
foundation for the linebackers. Having him back is a big plus as he
is the QB of the defense and USC’ Ellis Johnson often complained about
his absence. While a bit undersized in height, Shaq makes up for it
with football smarts and instincts. The staff made sure to not do too
much with him this spring and he is reported to be 100% from the
injury now so look out.

MLB: Reggie Bowens (RS Jr 6’2” 246lbs.) – If you put Bowens in a
combine setting, he would blow you away with the way he moves. He has
however never been healthy and has just made it through his first
spring. Reginald Bowens was named the 2011 Spring Most Improved
Linebacker for South Carolina. Bowens is the wild card in this group
of LBs because he has the size/speed/talent that no one else at the
position has. The Gamecock staff is very hopeful that Reggie has put
his nagging injuries behind him and is now ready to contribute because
if he is, he gives USC a very unique LB they have not had.

Other LB’s in the Mix

Qua Gilchrist (JR 6’1” 241lbs.) – No one questions the talent of
Gilchrist, who was a 4-star linebacker out of Butler County Community
College. However, he only played in three games last season, and all
on special teams. He missed all of the spring drills because of
shoulder surgery. Qua has the ability and athleticism to be a
contributor, if he can get on the field and learn. Look for him to be
in the mix and provide depth at MLB.

Alonzo Winfield (SR 6’0” 223lbs.) – It will be hard to get Winfield on
the field in his senior season at linebacker due to the talent around
him, could see him on special teams. His toughness and smarts helps
the depth at LB.

Spur

Spur: Antonio Allen (Sr 6’2 208) – Antonio had a very good year at
Spur last year and was one of the most consistent players on defense.
Allen has improved every season since coming to Carolina and looks to
make the leap from average to solid player to dynamic and
game-changing playmaker. Phil Steele selected him as a member of his
preseason All-SEC team; Antonio Allen comes in as the Spur starter
with DeVonte Holloman hot on his heels. Antonio should be primed for
another very good year due to his determination to be a force for the
defense.

Spur: DeVonte Holloman (Jr 6’2” 226lbs.) – DeVonte has spent his first
two seasons at safety, which for him was not his natural position.
With the move of Damario Jeffery to WLB, Defensive Coach Ellis Johnson
has moved DeVonte from safety down into the box to the Spur spot.
Holloman gives USC a unique blend of size and speed in the box and he
is a very smart football player who is capable of understanding the
intricacies of the position. How USC gets Holloman on the field with
Allen playing Spur is a good problem for Ellis Johnson to have but do
expect strong results from Holloman in 2011 as he is too good not to.
_
As you can see this linebacking unit has toughness and talent. This
should translate to a strong showing in 2011 as long as the players
can stay injury-free. In doing so, they will help the defense improve
over last year and help USC get to Atlanta again for the SEC
Championship.