The 2011 South Carolina Gamecocks opened their fall camp in front of a large crowd of about 1,500 to 2,000 at the Bluff Road Proving Grounds on Wednesday night.
Thursday morning, the preseason coaches' poll labeled them as the 12th best football team in the country.
The Gamecocks have had one of the most hyped off-seasons in the history of the South Carolina football program after a strong 9-5 (5-3) season last year that landed them in Atlanta playing for their first ever SEC Championship. Unfortunately, South Carolina was unable to fulfill the dream season, losing 56-17 to Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and the eventual national champion Auburn Tigers.
The back to back losses to end last year has left Carolina even hungrier to get back to, and surpass, the successes they achieved last season.
After landing the top prospect in the country in Jadeveon Clowney, having several impact players returning, WR Alshon Jeffery, RB Marcus Lattimore, CB Stephon Gilmore and seeing new players Bruce Ellington, Shamier Jeffery and DeAngelo Smith join the squad, the Gamecocks have the potential to build on a good season last year.
"I thought it was a pretty nice practice," said Spurrier after Wednesday night's practice. "All the coaches were really noticing the difference in our team speed. I think our speed has really improved with the addition of a lot of players, as well as the conditioning work of Coach Fitz and the strength coaches this summer. We have a fast team. Hopefully we'll have a team that can really play well."
The SEC was well represented in the top 25, as usual, as seven other conference foes landed in the coaches' top 25.
2. Alabama
4. LSU
14. Arkansas
19. Auburn
20. Mississippi State
22. Georgia
23. Florida
The Gamecocks will open their 2011 campaign in Charlotte against the ECU Pirates at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 3. Carolina will open their conference schedule against No. 22 Georgia in Athens, Sept. 10.
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