Already SEC-sized, freshman Markee Anderson has impressed with his intelligence
Former Dorman four-star offensive guard Markee Anderson arrived at South Carolina a few months ago already checking in at an SEC-ready 6-foot-4, 320-pounds.
But there’s far more than just size needed to play on the offensive line as a true freshman in the SEC.
Anderson, who displays incredibly movement skills for someone his size, has already checked off several other boxes on the list of things needed to play at this level.
“He’s been fantastic,” head coach Shane Beamer said recently. “He comes from an awesome family, first and foremost. He comes from a great program at Dorman. He’s a great young man and he’s really, really, really smart. Really smart.
“We’re using him (at multiple spots). He’s playing guard and he’s playing some tackle and to do that as a freshman and to hold your own out there is pretty impressive. Really excited about him and his development. The moment is not too big for him. He understands what we’re doing schematically. He has shown some toughness as well in practice.”
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Anderson enters a situation on the o-line at South Carolina, where the Gamecocks likely won’t have to force him into playing time if he’s not ready, but at the same time there could be a role for the Roebuck, S.C. native if he is.
There are probably six players vying for five starting spots, with Anderson not among that group as of last check.
But the rookie has taken quite a few reps at left guard with the second team in practice and already appears to be what those in the recruiting industry call a “hit” in terms of his evaluation as a Blue Chip prospect.
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“To me, that’s the hardest position to play as a freshman,” Beamer continued. “You should still be in high school getting ready for prom and instead you’re out here blocking Boogie Huntley and guys that are four or five years older than you and have been in a weight program for four or five years. It’s hard, but he is not lost by any stretch of the imagination and shown intelligence and toughness at the position.”
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South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley echoed Beamer’s thoughts on his freshman early enrollee.
“Markee is a pleasure to coach. He’s extremely smart. He’s one of those guys where if you teach him something, he’s got it,” Teasley said. “He can recall information that I taught him back when he first got here…He’s got it. He’s a smart dude and he’s hungry. He wants to be really good. Physically he’s heavy-handed. He’s an SEC offensive lineman.”
And while Teasley acknowledged that it’s hard to play offensive line in the SEC as a freshman, he didn’t rule out the possibility of him getting on the field.
“I’m not predicting the future,” he said. “Markee, if he keeps trending, we’ll see. One, you have to be smart. You have to be able to understand the playbook. That’s usually what stops freshman year one. They’re talented and everyone’s like, ‘Oh we have these super-talented freshmen but their athletic ability isn’t showing on the field. Because they’re not processing the plays fast enough.’ When you get a guy who can process it fast enough you’ll see the athletic ability start to show faster. That’s been one thing helping him show his athletic ability.”
