USC Football Preview: Offensive Newcomers To Watch

The second year of the Steve Spurrier Era gets under way Saturday, August 5th. In this report, Cockfather Illustrated will preview the top offensive newcomers to watch as fall practice begins. This report will include all first year players, both red-shirts, and incoming players will be profiled.

OL Garrett Anderson 6'5 285 Dutch Fork High School- The big offensive lineman finished the season as the second rated player in the palmetto state according to Rivals.com. Anderson was dominant at the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl last December, and will be one of the four incoming freshmen that will get a long look along the offensive line for the Gamecocks. The 4 star prospect could play any of the positions along the offensive line, and will most likely be tried at both guard and tackle. if at all possible the Gamecock coaches would like to red-shirt Anderson, as he is a year ahead of his class. Garrett should be a senior in high school this year, but was moved ahead a grade due to his academic excellence. Anderson chose USC over Clemson, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.

OL Heath Batchelor 6'7 290 Haleyville, AL - Another big guy that will be thrown into the mix at offensive tackle. Batchelor originally committed to Georgia Tech early last fall, but later decided to play for the Head Ball Coach at USC. Batchelor is friends with Chris Smelley, and it was because of that relationship that made Batchelor a Gamecock. On signing day, the Auburn Tigers tried to steal Batchelor away from the Gamecocks with a last minute scholarship offer, but Batchelor decided to stay firm with his pledge to join Smelley in Columbia. Batchelor is a good athlete that will get a look at right offensive tackle. He will certainly be one of USC's freshmen, as he boasts a 400 pound bench press.

WR Moe Brown 6'1 170 Westside High School - The Anderson, SC speedster was one of USC's earliest commitments of the class of 2006, committing after receiving a scholarship offer following an impressive performance at Steve Spurrier's summer football camp. At that time, Brown was an unknown. But after a strong senior season, Brown was named All-State and was selected to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl team. USC wide receiver coach Steve Spurrier, Jr. is very high on Brown, and expects him to be a part of the WR rotation this season. A national caliber track athlete, Brown possesses outstanding speed and elusiveness in the open field. I have a feeling he will quickly become a crowd favorite this fall. Brown chose USC over Tennessee.

TE Jared Cook 6'5 235 Suwannee, GA- The big red-shirt freshman was a member of Steve Spurrier's first recruiting class at USC, and was a stand-out performer this spring after making the move from wide receiver to tight end. Cook should present some serious match-up problems for opposing defensive coordinators the next several seasons. rumor has it that USC All-American WR Sidney Rice said the only WR in the SEC he considers better than himself is Jared Cook. Cook chose USC over Ohio State and Mississippi State.

FB Clark Gaston 6'3 238 Ooltewah, TN - Gaston was another early commitment for the Gamecocks in the class of 2006. He graduated high school in December and joined the team in January. The big fullback was impressive at times in the spring, and should benefit from summer workouts and becoming more familiar with USC's offense. Gaston can carry the ball, block and catch out of the backfield. He could become a valuable asset for USC's offense. Gaston chose USC over offers from Wake Forest, Vandy, UNC, and Kentucky.

OL Hutch Eckerson 6'6 290 Lumberton, NC - Perhaps the top OL signee in the class of 2006, Eckerson will be counted on to compete immediately for the left tackle position, and could become USC's third option at OT, serving as a back-up to both Thind and RT Jamon Meredith. The Rivals 4 star prospect was extremely impressive in the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl last December. Eckerson has added about 20 pounds since signing with the Gamecocks last February over Virginia Tech.

WR OJ Murdock 6'0 175 Tampa, FL - The rivals 100 WR prospect arrived at USC as perhaps the most celebrated signee of Steve Spurrier's first recruiting class. The 4 star prospect spurned the home state Florida Gators on signing day to play for the Gamecocks. Murdock was banged up in fall practice last year, injuring a knee, and was forced to red-shirt. A national caliber sprinter coming out of Middleton High School, Murdock will bring a true deep threat to Steve Spurrier's offense this fall. Wide receivers coach Steve Spurrier, Jr. fully expects Murdock to play a major role in the offense. Head Coach Steve Spurrier has been critical of the speedster work ethic in the off-season, but there is no denying Murdocks talent and speed.

QB Chris Smelley 6'3 215 Tuscaloosa, AL- Rated as the 8th best pro-style QB in the nation by Rivals.com, Smelley arrives at USC with high praise from head football coach Steve Spurrier and high expectations from the fan base after a phenomenal high school career. Last season at American Christian Academy, Smelley passed for over 4100 yards and an astounding 59 touchdown passes. The big signal caller, who doubled as an all-star catcher on his schools baseball team, grew up a huge Alabama fan, but the Crimson Tide spurned Smelley and put all their eggs in the Tim Teebow basket. By the time Teebow chose Florida over Alabama, Smelley had already made his decision to attend South Carolina, and never wavered. Smelley even made an extra trip to Columbia in January to help recruit some future teammates to Columbia. Spurrier has said that he will throw Smelley in the mix immediately and see how quickly the 4 star signal caller can pick up the head ball coach's offensive system. Smelley chose USC over offense from Louisville, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and NC State.

QB Cade Thompson 6'2 181 Maryville, TN - After a strong showing in USC's spring game in April, Cade Thompson has positioned himself as the clear cut number two QB ahead of returners Tommy Beecher and Brett Nichols. It remains to be seen if Thompson will hold off incoming freshman Chris Smelley and remain the back-up to returning starter Blake Mitchell. After the spring game, head coach Steve Spurrier said that he hoped that Cade would be able to challenge Blake this fall, as competition makes everyone better. In that spring game, Thompson was 10-13 for 136 yards and 2 TD passes. Thompson's biggest obstacle thus far as been the ability to gain weight. At 181 pounds, he is undersized to absorb the punishment that SEC quarterbacks must endure on a weekly basis. coming out of Maryville high School, Thompson led his team to an undfeated season and a State Championship. In fact, in three years as a starter, Thompson had a record of 34-1 and two State titles. He chose to attend USc after de-committing from North Carolina.

OL Kevin Young 6'5 335 Clearwater, FL - Young will be counted on to be a contributor at offensive guard immediately. The 4 star prospect has all the tools needed to excel at the collegiate level. Young represented Florida in the prestigious California-Florida all-star game, after an excellent senior season. Young committed to USC last fall over offers from Florida, Florida State, and Miami.