Position breakdown: offensive line

Gamecock Central is breaking down each position on the football field heading into the 2017 season, with a new position each Monday. This week’s position is the offensive line.

Each week we’ll break down each position, discussing the player to watch and a newcomer who could make an impact this season.

To see GamecockCentral.com's position breakdowns from each position, click here.

The skinny: The offensive line was one of the weaker points of the Gamecocks’ offense last year, struggling to find consistency and protect the quarterback last year. They ranked last in the SEC in sacks allowed (3.2 per game) and tackles for loss (5.4 per game) allowed last year.

Four starters return on the line from last year, including three-year starter Zack Bailey and senior center Alan Knott. Donnell Stanley returns from injury after missing almost all of last season with a high ankle sprain, and he’s listed as the starting left guard heading into the season.

Eric Wolford takes over the position now after Shawn Elliott departed to become the head coach at Georgia State, and will be looking for his best starting five over the next few weeks of camp.

Also see: Updates from Gamecocks' 2019 baseball class

Player to watch: Zack Bailey

Bailey is one of the most versatile linemen on the team, playing three positions on the line in his three seasons in Columbia. He played center his freshman year, guard last year and now is listed as the right tackle heading into his junior season.

While listed at tackle to start the year, head coach Will Muschamp said the coaching staff won’t rule out moving him if that’s best for the team.

He knows how the offensive line works at each position, he said, and is able to anticipate things that happen on the football field. He’s listed at 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds on the depth chart and is one of the biggest linemen on the team.

After undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason, he’s 100 percent and ready for a big year.

Also see: Insider notes from media day, including weights, team leaders, injuries

Newcomer to watch: Sadarius Hutcherson

Hutcherson redshirted his freshman season and comes into the preseason listed as the No. 2 option at left tackle behind Malik Young.

While not necessarily a newcomer, he came to South Carolina as a three-star tackle rated 21st overall in Tennessee for the 2016 class.

He spent last season on the scout team, and won Co-Offensive Scout Team Award in 2016. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 316 pounds coming into the season. By comparison, he is an inch taller and 13 pounds heavier than Young. With a good camp he could potentially start this season or, at minimum be inserted into the lineup during the offensive lineman rotation.

Also see: Practice scoop from Gamecocks' first preseason session

Storyline to watch: Who will start on the left side of the line?

With the center and right side of the line somewhat set with Knott, Cory Helms and Bailey slotted there, the left side is more up in the air. The only starter lost on the line was Mason Zandi, who started every game at left tackle last season. The Gamecocks will try to replace him with either Young or Hutcherson.

Young, a redshirt junior, started nine straight games last year, starting against Texas A&M, at right tackle and now moves to the other side of the line. He also played primarily special teams his redshirt freshman year.

Along with the tackle position with Stanley and D.J. Park competing there. Stanley is currently listed as the starter.

Stanley missed all but one series last year with an ankle sprain, but Park played in all 13 games with three starts. He played on the right side of the line at both guard and tackle, but primarily at tackle with Stanley hurt.

Muschamp said he enjoys competition in camp because it makes everyone better, and it’ll be tight competition through the team’s month-long training camp.