Youth Will Be Served at Safety

In February, Steve Spurrier and staff signed a trio of young safety prospects in his second recruiting class. They were expected to compete for playing time behind senior Brandon Isaac and Junior Chris Hampton. One player, Emmanuel Cook was expected to make an impact after the early departure of Ko Simpson to the NFL. However, with the three game suspensions of Isaac and red-shirt junior Ty Erving, it appears a youth movement will, indeed be underway at safety for the Gamecocks in 2006.

Today in Cockfather Illustrated, we take an in-depth look at how the safety positions will stack up this season.

Chris Hampton 5'11 184 Junior - Hampton is the most experienced returning player in the secondary after Fred Bennett. The Memphis, TN native started five games in 2005 before being hampered by an ankle injury.Hampton will likely be the starter at free safety when the Gamecocks open the season at Mississippi state on August 31st. The Junior from Memphis, TN is an intelligent player that plays the run especially well, and is a big hitter from the safety position. Called "radio" by his teammates, the biggest challenge Hampton faces is playing center field in pass coverage. Last season Hampton had 19 solo and 28 total tackles. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Tremaine Tyler after suffering an ankle injury against Kentucky, which limited his playing time for the next several weeks. This season, Hampton will be charged with being the leader of the secondary. Leadership is something Hampton is familiar with, as he served as senior class president at Melrose High School.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Hampton is an intelligent player who will be solid, and provide good leadership from his safety position. He is a capable tackler and plays the run extremely well.

Emmanuel Cook 5'10 205 Freshman - Cook arrived this summer as one of the more highly touted players in Steve Spurrier's second recruiting class. The Palm Beach, FL product was Florida's 6A player of the year after leading his high school team to the state Championship. The Rivals three star prospect with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash was a two-way standout at Palm Beach Gardens High School, as he rushed for over 2000 yards and 27 TD's as a senior, and started at linebacker. In the State Championship game, Cook rushed for 243 yards and 4 TD's. He doubled as a linebacker and was a stand-out on that side of the ball as well. Cook is known as a big hitter with great ball instincts. It appears he has taken over the starting position at ROV for the Gamecocks and will be the starter heading into the season opener versus Mississippi State.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Cook will literally have learn on the run this season. Cook is a hard hitter, who should be effective in run support. The question mark for him will be in pass coverage.

Darian Stewart 6'0 210 Freshman - Stewart was one of the steals of Steve Spurrier's second recruiting class. The Huntsville, AL native was considerd by many as one of the top prospects int he state of Alabama, but academic concerns caused many schools to take a wait and see approach with the all-state prospect. Stewart was recruited and personally evaluated by USC secondary coach Ron Cooper, who is one of the best in the business in evaluating secondary talent. With the suspension to Brandon Isaac, Stewart began fall practice as the starter at free safety. Currently, Chris Hampton has been moved from ROV to free safety and has supplanted Stewart in the starting role. The Lee High School product led his team to an 11-3 record by recording 54 tackles and four interceptions. as a receiver, Stewart had 25 receptions for 581 yards and 6 TD's. In basketball, he averaged 28 points per game as a senior.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Stewart has a bright future ahead of him, but because of the depth situation at safety, he will be pressed into duty immediately. Stewart is a physical prospect, with great quickness. He has been impressive in fall camp, and should be a big contributor this fall.

Brandon Isaac 6'2 195 Senior - Isaac was projected as the starter at free safety heading into fall camp. However, an academic issue that was overlooked last year when the Blackville, SC native transferred from Georgia Military Academy, caused the school and the NCAA to agree on a three game suspension to re-instate Isaac's eligibility. In 2005, Isaac made 34 tackles in two starts at free safety and reserve action at cornerback. Easily the most versatile prospect in USC's secondary, Isaac sat out spring practice after off-season shoulder surgery.

The GMC transfer with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash was expected to fill in for Ko Simpson, but now with nagging injuries, may be headed for a red-shirt season.Isaac began fall camp with a hamstring injury, which has limited his practice time. Now, it appears Isaac is having problems with the same shoulder that was repaired in the off-season.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Isaac is a key to USC's secondary. If he is forced to red-shirt it will be a blow to both the depth and experience of the safety position. Hopefully Isaac will be able to shake off his injuries and come back after the three game suspension to provide solid depth, and possibly an experienced starter in the secondary. If Isaac is unable to play in 2006, look for Sophomore cornerback Carlos Thomas to slide over to free safety at times to help with depth and in obvious pass coverage situations.

Jerod June 5'11 205 Senior - June is a former walk-on who was rewarded with a scholarship prior to the 2005 season. He has action primarily on special teams last year, making 6 tackles. However, with USC's lack of experienced depth, the former Timberland High School standout could be pressed into action this fall. June moved over to ROV from linebacker during the spring.

Cockfather Illustrated believes June is a solid special teams contributor, but if he is pressed into extensive duty in the secondary, it will likely be due to injuries.

Nick Prochak 6'4 211 Freshman - The former Spartanburg High School Quarterback first played safety in the Shrine Bowl last December. Prochak is an excellent athlete with sub 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash, and showed excellent potential for the secondary during the Shrine Bowl week. As a quarterback, Prochak completed 139-of-226 pass attempts for 1,791 yards and 17 touchdowns in addition to rushing the ball 133 times for 399 yards his senior year. The Spartanburg High stand-out earned the South Carolina Shrine Team Academic Award winner for having the highest GPA of any player on the South Carolina Shrine Bowl roster.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Prochak will likely red-shirt this fall. The way his body changes in the off-season will depend on his future position at USC, as he could grow into a LB or TE. If Prochak maintains his current size, he will stay at safety.

Ty Erving 5'10 190 Junior(R) - Erving will begin the season with a three game suspension for violation of team policy. Heading into fall camp, Erving was listed second team at free safety behind Brandon Isaac. The Batesburg-Leesville High School graduate was named most improved defensive back at the conclusion of spring practice, after playing in nine games in 2005 and being credited with eight tackles.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Eriving is at the end of his rope with head coach Steve Spurrier and this could be his last year in the program. However, with the uncertainty at safety and Brandon Isaac's injury situation, Erving may be needed to provide depth after he returns from suspension.