South Carolina OTs

Let me start by saying that the size measurements are from the Spring. Some players could have lost weight or gained weight over the Summer. Also note that this is the depth chart after Spring practice and is subject to change. Elliot is known to cross-train all of his linemen and OGs can easily move over to OT and vice-versa. The best 5 will start regardless of position. Fun Fact: Bama uses this same strategy (See Barret Jones' career for reference)

Starting LT: Corey Robinson - RS JR - 6' 8" 341 lbs - Corey battled Mike Matulis early in the season last year for the LT spot. Eventually he took it over for good when shoulder injuries got the best of Matulis. You may see that battle arise again this season if Matulis has gained back the necessary weight and is healthy but Mike may still be an injury casualty even this season. Robinson started in 9 games last season. His first start was against Mizzou when Shaw had the incredible passing game where he had 20 completions out of 21 attempts.

Backup LT: Mike Matulis - JR - 6' 5" 266 lbs - I've already talked about Mike above a little bit. In 2011 Mike was a Freshman All American according to Sporting News. He didn't play in the first 4 games in 2011 because the staff of course wanted to redshirt a freshman OL. After an injury to Kyle Nunn he started the remainder of the season at RT. Mike started out starting at RT last season before they swapped him with Brandon Shell at LT. He started at LT before being sidelined with injuries and Robinson took over. Matulis was listed at 266 lbs in the Spring but weighed 280 something last season when he was healthy. I really like Matulis and hope he has gained some weight back and is able to contribute this season barring injury which may already be the case with the continued shoulder problems. If he can't play expect a OG to move in to be the backup to Robinson. I'm not sure on the exact number of starts Mike has but I think it should be around 15.

Starting RT: Brandon Shell - RS SO - 6' 6" 323 lbs - Brandon Shell as you know was highly recruited out of HS. As a freshman he played about 4 snaps before being sidelined the rest of the game and season which was good because he was a true freshman and should have been redshirted in the first place. He returned last season and started the first game at LT against what ended up being a 9 win Vandy team. He was sidelined the next few games while making the transition over to RT where he was more comfortable. He ended up earning Freshman All SEC honors. He also made Fox Sports Freshman All American team. He has started in 11 games.

Backup RT - Cody Gibson - RS JR - 6' 7" 286 lbs - I should start by saying that Cody is one of the players that fell to injury early in Fall practice this year. He injured his ankle I think and is expected to be out 2-3 more weeks and the hope is that  he will be back for the season opener. He started 4 games in 2011 and had a pair of starts last season at RT. He also earned most outstanding in the weight room award in the Spring for whatever it's worth. I hope Shell will give him enough time to get healthy before he is needed. If not we have other backups that should be able to step in and at least gain experience.

Other listed OTs on the team:

Na'Ty Rogers - FR - 6' 5 296 lbs - 4 star - Side note: This guy would be the one to escape a RS if he is needed this season. The coaching staff is very high on him.

Mason Zandi - RS FR - 6' 9" 293 lbs - Earned most improved lineman honors in the Spring

JP Vonashek - FR - 6' 6" 283 lbs

DJ Park - FR - 6' 4" 334 lbs - 4 star