Lost redshirt for Shaq Roland

[cockymac]

We have a slew of young receivers. One of them needed to get some experience.

[cockypanther]

Let him get another whole off season under his belt. We will see a bigger, stronger, faster, smarter receiver next yr. To the OP, you can't realistically expect every freshman to come in and make an immediate impact like Clowney and Lattimore did.

[sc455]

Originally Posted by Flameout12

Give the guy a few years.

its college, man. you only get a few years.

[HeadCockFan]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

Maybe he ain't all that ????????????

Yeah maybe, but a more likely reason is Ace, Bruce and Damiere did so well that he didn't get his name called very often.

Had one of them gone down, he would've had his chance. I'm glad he got to see live action, he'll know better how to work out this summer. And he won't be nervous come the year of our national title: 2013-14.

[JQ94]

Of course we should have, he was an absolute non-issue all season.

I personally think the coaching staff gambled, hell Stephon Gilmore was great as a true freshman
Alshon made an impact later in the season as a true freshman
Marcus was phenomenal as true freshman
Clowney was awesome as a true freshman

I tend to think they hoped Roland would fit that mold...call it a calculated gamble, this one didn't quite pan out.

[markymark550]

Should he have redshirted? Probably. Although, I think his experience this year will show him what he needs to work on so that he can make an impact next year.

[TKE226]

are we doing threads for everyone who "didnt pan out?"

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by TKE226

are we doing threads for everyone who "didnt pan out?"

He's only been in the program for 1 year. A little too early to say he didn't pan out.

[riceatusc]

No we didn't waste the year. Huge got valuable practice time

[uscfan1]

it wasnt because of the staff...he was given numerous chances to make plays. the only thing that was lost on me is that from the film it looks like we would have tried to ge him the ball in space...he looked really good on film in space...we never once tried

[b381l]

Originally Posted by Garnet girl

I wish we had Quinshad. I keep looking at his size. Tall with huge hands.
I do not know how much Roland played. I kept waiting for him to really show up. It didn't happen. Maybe next year.

I know that QD has caught a lot of balls in the flag football league he's in...just like Potkins & Company. But I was watching him during the Maryland game and he was out in the open with the ball, and I now understand why we didn't take him......he is slow as dirt. He's got good hands and all that, but there is no way he gets separation in the SEC. He made the right choice and so did we.

[b381l]

I think Shaq will really improve between now and next year. He gets to practice for the bowl, and then spring practice will also help a lot. I think everyone was expecting him to be like AJ this first year. That's just not a fair comparison for many reasons. He played in some games and caught a few balls, all good experience.

[ElectricCock]

Originally Posted by behindenemylines

Maybe we were spoiled by AJ...not every WR can be a freshman all american...give him time

true statement

[GetemGamecocks]

Shaq will be just fine. Give him a little more time to learn the system, and he will be a beast. I wouldn't be supprised to see him have a big bowl game.

[Gamecockfanatic4]

Originally Posted by doccock

I am glad he played this year. He was able to get some snaps when we didn't necessarily need him to be great. And now he understands what it takes to excel in the SEC. Better routes and downfield blocking, as well as fighting for the ball.
He'll be ok.
doc

what Doc said

[MEL]

Give him a chance. He's trying to learn how to play college football.

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by Flameout12

Give the guy a few years.

FEW years? If he doesn't start balling soon, he could be riding the bench his entire USC tenure. I don't want to see him wind up a Joe Hills.

[NCgamecock1981]

One notable reason we shouldn't be disappointed that Shaq didn't put up Alshon like numbers this year is that when Alshon was a freshman we attempted 440 passes. We've attempted 329 this year. The opportunities for him to make a huge impact as a freshman just haven't been there. Also, Alshon was an amazing talent.

Additionally, Shaq had Ace and Bruce in front of him competing for receptions. Those two guys were significantly ahead of him in knowing the playbook and quite skilled in their own right.

Give him time.

[Acockolypse Now]

We're so used to needing freshmen to come in and contribute early we think something's wrong when they don't.

Shaq got some very valuable experience this year, and should contend for a starting role next year.

On talented teams that's like... normal.

[CoverTwo]

Guys, Shaq Roland is going to improve next year because of two things:

1) spring practice

2) winter and summer workouts (both sessions)

Learning and skill development happens in the Spring, not the Fall and Shaq is going to have to put on 10 or 15 pounds this Summer at the very least.

He will be fine and will be a bigger part of the offense next year.