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Nine players listed on the two-deep from South Carolina’s season finale against Clemson will be gone when the Gamecocks kick off the 2016 season, and that number could grow to 10 in the coming weeks when LB Skai Moore announces his decision on whether or not to declare for the NFL Draft.
There are losses all over the field, but a few of them will be felt more than others.
Here are the five toughest players for South Carolina to replace heading into the 2016 season:
5. FS Isaiah Johnson — A graduate transfer from Kansas, Johnson stepped into the starting lineup and had a successful season. He was second on the team with 74 tackles, and added an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss. The rest of the starting secondary should return intact, but replacing Johnson’s experience and playmaking ability will be a challenge for new defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson.
4. TE Jerell Adams — The team’s second-leading receiver with 28 catches for 421 yards and three touchdowns. His backup, Kyle Markway, caught just three passes in 2015. The other returnees, Kevin Crosby and Connor Redmond, have less experience. Considering that there are no tight ends committed in the Class of 2016, this could be an area of concern heading into spring ball.
3. RB Brandon Wilds — Injuries cut into Wilds’ production as a senior, but he still led the team in rushing with 567 yards and three TDs. His backup, David Williams, didn’t do much with his opportunity to start, and there isn’t much experience down the depth chart. Three-star recruit CJ Freeman will get a long look in the spring as a January enrollee.
2. LB Skai Moore — Moore hasn’t declared his intentions yet on the NFL Draft. His barber thinks he’s turning pro, but we’ve yet to hear that from the man himself. Moore recorded 111 tackles and picked off four passes, both team-highs. Getting him back at weakside linebacker would be huge.
1. WR Pharoh Cooper — Cooper is taking his talents to the NFL, and his departure is easily the biggest loss for the Gamecocks. The Havelock, N.C., native had 66 catches for 973 yards and eight TDs. He also ran for a TD and threw for another in another do-everything season for the Gamecocks. His replacements will be young. Deebo Samuel, the team’s third-leading receiver with a dozen catches, will be asked to take on a larger role. Matrick Belton, Hayden Hurst, D.J. Neal and incoming freshman Bryan Edwards will also get a chance to impress the new staff.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
