Five Impact Newcomers for 2006

Today we will look at the five newcomers that I believe to be most critical to USC's on field success in 2006. The five impact newcomers include four members of the incoming recruiting class and one red-shirt that will be seeing significant playing time this fall.

1) Jasper Brinkley- As a mid-year enrollee, Jasper Brinkley was able to get a head start on most newcomers by going through winter workouts and spring practice. The Thomson, GA native brings a physical presence to USC's linebacker corps that has been missing since the 2000-01 seasons. At 6'2 255 pounds, Brinkley first caught the eye of USC's defensive coaches during winter workouts. Coach Tyrone Nix was pleasantly surprised at the athleticism displayed by the JUCO transfer. Brinkley nailed down the starting MLB position shortly after spring practice began and never looked back. Head Coach Steve Spurrier even stated midway through spring practice that they had to get Brinkley to take it easy on the running backs because they didn't want him to hurt anyone.

If USC's defense is going to be able to stop the run, the Gamecocks will need a big season from Jasper Brinkley. He has all the tools to be a good one, and could really shut down opponents on the ground.

2) Clarence Bailey- Once expected to join the Gamecocks in January of 2006, the JUCO All-American OT's situation has taken a turn that could jeopardize his playing career. Bailey was thought to be on schedule to graduate last December from Lackawanna JC. However, it was later discovered that he would need three additional classes in order to complete requirements necessary to transfer to USC. Bailey has been taking on-line courses since January. At first he had hoped to enroll at USC in March, then his schedule was pushed back to a June time frame. Most recently it appears his fate will not be known until the beginning of fall camp.

USC won an intense recruiting battle for the Trenton, NJ standout. After considering offers from Oklahoma, Florida State, South Carolina, and Ole Miss, the 6'7 309 pound Bailey originally committed to Coach Ed Orgeron and the Ole Miss Rebels. However, after much thought, Bailey choose to sign with USC instead. The 6'7 309 pound Bailey has been compared to former University of Miami Outland Trphy winner and Minnesota Viking All-Pro LT Bryant McKinney, who also preped at Lackawanna.

With USC's lack of depth along the offensive line, Bailey could be a major contributor in 2006. His eligibility would also allow USC to red-shirt another member of its talented freshman offensive line class.

3) Casper Brinkley- another talented JUCO transfer that will be needed to step up for USC in 2006 will be the 6'2 250 pound DE from Thomson, GA. While Casper was unable to transfer to USC last January like his twin brother Jasper, he did attend several spring practices, and has been in Columbia all summer working out with the team. Thought to be the more talented twin, Casper played the hybrid position once played by former USC All-American Kalimba Edwards in GMC's 3-3-5 defense, a system that was very successful for USC during the back-to-back Outback Bowl seasons. Brinkley will be strictly a DE in USC's four man front this fall.

Brinkley will be counted on immediately by defensive line coach Brad Lawing to be an impact newcomer. Casper has the same speed and athleticism possessed by his twin brother Jasper, and could conceivably line up with USC's first team defense in the season opener August 31st in Starkville. In order for USC's defense to be successful this season, USC needs an athletic pass rusher like Casper Brinkley to come in ready to play.

4) Kevin Young- At 6'5 341 pounds, Kevin Young already has the size and strength needed to compete in the SEC right away. USC offensive line coach John Hunt hopes that Young will be ready to make an impact for the Gamecocks this fall at one of the guard positions. Young was easily one of the top OL prospects in the sunshine state last season. He chose USC over offers from Florida State, Florida and Miami, among others, to play for the Gamecocks.

USC will enter fall camp with only six scholarship offensive linemen ready to play. Young could be thrown into a battle for the right guard position currently held by rising junior James Thompson. The Sumter native has been injury prone and has not impressed the USC coaches with his work ethic during his time in Columbia. If Kevin Young is able to nail down one of the starting guard positions, or at least be a quality back-up, that would go a long way in solidifying USC's line depth.

5) Jared Cook- A member of Steve Spurrier's first signing class, Cook red-shirted last season. The Suwanee, Georgia native was very impressive in spring practice, playing both TE and WR. At 6'5 238 pounds and with 4.5 speed, Cook presents match-up problems for opposing defenses. Cook may have the most NFL potential of any player currently on campus and will be a much needed alternative to take the pressure off of USC's All-American WR Sidney Rice. Cook is fluid and has excellent hands. The jumbo-athlete could be used in a number of different formations in Steve Spurrier's "Cock and Fire" offense this fall. He could line up at TE and then flex out, forcing a safety or OLB to cover him, or he could line up at WR one-on-one against a 5'11 CB.

Jared Cook will play an important role in the USC passing game this fall. If he steps up and has a good season, the USC offense will be more potent and give opposing defensive coordinators head aches.