No. 10 Shi Smith – South Carolina Gamecocks (Senior – Union, South Carolina)
Entering a pivotal fifth year in Columbia, Will Muschamp’s offense is faced with the graduations of Bryan Edwards, the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, and tailbacks Rico Dowdle and Tavien Feaster.
Averaging just 17.9 points per game last season, a total that ranked 120th among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs, Muschamp demoted offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon, who has since joined Mario Cristobal’s staff with the Oregon Ducks, and hired ex-Colorado State Rams head coach Mike Bobo to replace him.
Bobo will have at least two more years to mold quarterback Ryan Hilinski, who flashed some promise a year ago as a freshman, and welcomes Hyattsville, Maryland four-star running back MarShawn Lloyd to the fold.
After serving as a second-or-third option behind Edwards and 2018 first-team All-SEC selection Deebo Samuel over the last two seasons, Smith is the top returnee for the Gamecocks.
The in-state product totaled 43 catches for 489 yards (11.4 avg) and two scores a year ago, numbers that were actually down a tick from his sophomore campaign where he hauled in 45 passes for 673 yards (15 avg) and four trips to the end zone.
With Edwards now playing for Jon Gruden in Las Vegas, it would not be surprising to see Smith post statistics matching or even eclipsing his 2018 production.
NEXT: No. 9 Osirus Mitchell – Mississippi State Bulldogs