Give Him Time

For my fellow Gamecock fans writing off Brandon McIlwain already, you might need to sit down and relax a bit. He is a true freshman playing with a very inexperienced offense and a terrible offensive line. Believe me or not McIlwan has very similar stats to preseason Heisman front-runner Deshaun Watson. Before we jump to conclusions I am not saying McIlwain is better than Watson, because he is not. However, what I am saying is that he is making the most out of what he has. Deshaun Watson is 90/150, 60%, 996 passing yards, 6.6 yards per pass, 9 touchdowns, 4 interceptions with a QBR of 130.2 that ranks 80th in the country. Has had 35 rushing attempts for 120 yards and no rushing touchdowns. Those statistics are with 14 complete quarters from Watson. Clemson's offense currently ranks 32nd in the country. Brandon McIlwain is 47/91, 52%, 553 passing yards, 5.9 yards per pass, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions with a QBR of 108.1 that ranks 112th in the country. Had 40 rushing attempts for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Those statistics are with 11 quarters of play. The Gamecock offense currently ranks 119th in the country. 

Now I know that Watson stats are better, but there is not a huge difference. Especially with the talent difference from Clemson's offense to South Carolina's offense. My point here doesn't count out the true freshman. The kid is talented and has a shot to be one of the best to ever lace up at South Carolina. You just can't expect perfection from him at this point with what he has to work with. With three total seniors on the offensive roster. I expect tremendous growth from now till next year. Now you can come back to me next year if the offense still looks this bad. Because if it does then we are in some serious trouble.

*Note: Again I am by no means saying McIlwain is better than Watson. Watson>>>>>McIlwain.