During the final 10 days until the start of South Carolina's season, Gamecock Central will use each day to take a look at 10 storylines that will most directly affect the success of Carolina's 2018 campaign.
With one day until kickoff, we look at our No. 1 storyline - the return of Deebo Samuel.
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South Carolina will kick off its 2018 season Saturday and — for the first time in almost a year — Deebo Samuel will suit up again in a Gamecocks uniform.
"I'm really ready to get back out there," Samuel said Tuesday. "It's been, what, 11 months I think. I'm just excited to get back out there and play. I think I've gotten more stronger and more fast, because I've had more time to develop over this past summer."
A stronger and faster Deebo?
That's a dream come true for anyone in garnet, and a nightmare for defensive coordinators looking to stop the Gamecocks' do-it-all playmaker.
Samuel started his 2017 campaign at a historic pace when he caught three touchdown passes, returned two kicks for touchdowns and added another on the ground in just two-plus games. Then, a broken leg against Kentucky in Week 3 prematurely ended what would have been his final season.
"Any time you get a guy that can score at any part of the field, I believe that helps you," offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon said. "Obviously, he's one of those guys that can do that and has done that in the past. So, getting him back is a tremendous help and being able to do different things with him and his skillset, I think helps out a bunch."
Now back for his final go, Samuel looks like the same guy who was one of the most dominant players in the country for two and a half games last season, head coach Will Muschamp said.
"He looks good to me,” Muschamp said recently, noting that Samuel hit 22 mph - the same speed he was running during a kickoff return for TD last year - on their GPS tracking system. “He looks fast, fresh. He’s about the same weight as he was last year and looks powerful. He had a couple of really nice runs after catch. He ran through some tackles. I think he looks very explosive, watching him.”
Samuel is the Gamecocks' most explosive player any time he steps on the field, with his big-play ability earning him preseason All-SEC and All-American honors, despite last year's shortened season.
"He's full-go," quarterback Jake Bentley added. "He's real explosive. He looks like himself. I don't see any issues in that regard. He's been 100 percent and helping us out."
The 10 days until football
No. 2 - The debut of the Gamecocks new offense.
No. 3 - How good can Javon Kinlaw be?
No. 4 - The return of Bryson Allen-Williams
No. 5 - Breakout year for Rico Dowdle?
No. 6 - T.J. Brunson the leader
No. 7 - The emergence of Jaycee Horn
No. 9 - The graduate transfers
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