Jamon Meredith | Offensive Line | South Carolina | 6'5" - 289 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Versatility is one of Meredith's best traits, along with his team-first work ethic. One of the smartest offensive linemen in the league, the fifth-year senior boasted a 3.74 grade point average, receiving the school's Harold White Award for his academic excellence last spring. As a sophomore, he was named the university's recipient of the Andrew Sorensen Scholar-Athlete Award for FootbalL.
Meredith started 38 games during his career at South Carolina. During his time with the Gamecocks, he has lined up at both tackle positions prior to shifting to left guard as a senior. That move was brought about so that he could mentor Georgia Military Institute transfer, Jarriel King, as Meredith's familiar left tackle slot.
Meredith was a standout strong-side defensive end at Hillcrest High School, where he lettered three times under the guidance of head coach Wayne Garrick. He earned All-League honors as a senior and received a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com.
Despite a banner senior prep season, Meredith was lightly recruited by the colleges. Former South Carolina offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo saw that Meredith had great athleticism when he recruited him at Hillcrest, the high school that produced former USC and current Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Travelle Wharton.
"He had that athletic ability like Wharton. He was long, he was lean and he was athletic," said DeGuglielmo, who is presently a coach with the Miami Dolphins. "He was low-key and had an even temperament - and i liked that about him," DeGuglielmo added. "i didn't want someone who was too excitable."
Meredith enrolled at South Carolina in 2004, spending most of the season acclimating to the right offensive tackle position on the scout team. He received his first collegiate game action in the seventh contest vs. Vanderbilt, but did not play the rest of the year.
In 2005, Meredith spent the first part of the season as a key reserve at both right and left tackle. He took over right tackle duties midway through the Arkansas clash, going on to start four games, including the Independence Bowl vs. Missouri. He finished the year with 34 knockdowns and six touchdown-resulting blocks, as the offense averaged 315.92 yards per game.
The following season, the Andrew Sorenson Scholar-Athlete Award winner started all thirteen games. He started the first seven contests at right tackle and the final six on the left side, delivering 62 knockdowns for the campaign. He was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Clemson, helping the Gamecocks improve their offense from a 100th-place ranking in 2005 to 20th in 2006 (395.0 ypg).
As a junior, Meredith earned ESPN Academic All-District honors and was named his team's Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Starting all twelve games at left tackle, he made 75 knockdowns and twelve touchdown-resulting blocks. He allowed just three quarterback sacks on 443 pass plays and also recorded three solo tackles, along with recovering a fumble.
Meredith started 2008 as a left tackle vs. Georgia, but then spent the rest of the year at left guard, finishing with nine starts. He posted 48 knockdowns and five touchdown-resulting blocks, as both Meredith and USC struggled, with the offense ranking 9ih nationally with an average of 316.54 yards per game.
CAREER NOTES
Meredith started 38 games at South Carolina, including eight at right guard, eleven at right tackle and 19 at left tackle.. .In his final two seasons, the lineman delivered 123 knock-downs, seventeen touchdown-resulting blocks and six down field blocks... During that span, he was penalized nine times (seven false starts, two holding calls).. . Allowed seven quarterback pressures and seven sacks on 753 pass plays...Also recorded four solo tackles and recovered one fumble.
2008 SEASON
Recipient of the Harold White Grade Point Average Award (3.7 gpa)... Meredith started nine of the eleven games he appeared in... Was the team's starting left tackle in his first 2008 appearance, vs. Georgia, and then shifted to left guard for the balance of the schedule... Recorded 48 knockdowns with five touchdown-resulting blocks and two down field blocks, grading 80.0% for blocking consistency... Penalized twice and allowed four quarterback sacks and two pressures... Part of a front wall that saw the Gamecocks slip to 9ih in the nation in total offense (316.54 ypg), 96th in scoring (20.77 ppg), 11 ih in rushing (94.08 ypg) and 111th in sacks allowed (3.00 spg).
2007 SEASON
ESPN Academic All-District selection... Started all twelve games at left offensive tackle, collecting 75 knockdowns while leading the Gamecocks with twelve touchdown-resulting blocks...Added four down field blocks as he finished with an 81.42% grade for blocking consistency... Was part of an offense that finished third in the Southeastern Conference and 3ih in the country in passing (258.17 ypg)...The ground attack struggled though, placing 101st in the nation with an average of 113.67 yards per game, as the front wall ranked 92nd in the country in sacks allowed (2.58 spg)... Also recorded three solo tackles, including one each vs. Mississippi State, Florida and Tennessee and recovered a fumble in the Georgia contest.
2006 SEASON
Presented the Andrew Sorensen Scholar-Athlete Award for Football... Started all thirteen games, lining up at right tackle for the seven contests before taking over left tackle duties... Named the Southeastern Conference's Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Clemson... Registered 62 knockdowns and eight touchdown-resultin~ blocks, as the Gamecocks ranked 19th in the nation in passing (250.69 ypg), 21st in pass efficiency (146.55 rating) and 20 h in total offense (395.0 ypg).
2005 SEASON
Meredith played in every game, seeing action at both offensive tackle positions... Moved into the starting lineup at right tackle midway through the Arkansas clash, going on to start four late season games, including vs. Missouri in the Independence Bowl... Produced 34 knockdowns and six touchdown-resulting blocks, including eight knockdowns in his first career start, vs. Kentucky... Helped the team average 315.92 yards in total offense, 23.67 points and 220.75 yards passing per game.
2004 SEASON
Appeared briefly as a reserve offensive tackle in the team's seventh game of the season vs. Vanderbilt... Was granted a redshirt year by the NCAA.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.11 in the 40-yard dash... 1.80 10-yard dash...2.95 20-yard dash.. .4.78 20-yard shuttle... 7.87 three-cone drilL. ..28.5-inch vertical jump... 9'2" broad jump... Bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times... 33 1/8-inch arm length... 9 7/8-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Hillcrest (Simpsonville, S.C.) High School, playing three seasons as a strong-side defensive end for head coach Wayne Garrick... Earned All-League honors as a senior and received a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com.
PERSONAL
Graduated in May, 2008, with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, as he earned several academic honors by accumulating a 3.7 grade point average... Born James J. Meredith on 5/11/86... Resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina.