Coastal Carolina: The Biggest Surprise of the College Football Season

Featured Image Credit: Creator: Coastal Carolina University Copyright: Coastal Carolina University

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are ranked for the first time in program history. The Chanticleers are currently ranked 15th in the country and are on a roll. Coastal Carolina is 7-0 and every game has been a dominant one. The Chanticleers’ closest game of the season came against No. 25 Louisiana-Lafayette, a 30-27 win. At the time Louisiana-Lafayette was ranked 21st in the country. Coastal Carolina’s offense is leading the way for the team and was dominant in a 51-0 obliteration against Georgia State. 

Coastal Carolina is led by redshirt freshman quarterback Grayson McCall. The 6’3 standout quarterback has thrown for 1,393 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only one interception. In the Chanticleers’ 51-point win over Georgia State, McCall threw for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns. McCall isn’t eligible for the NFL draft, so Coastal Carolina will have a dominant quarterback, at hand, for at least another year. 

Senior running back, CJ Marable, is a great option in the backfield. Marable has ran for 370 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has also caught 20 passes, for 154 yards, and another 5 touchdowns. This may not be Marable’s best season, but in 2019 he was solid. He ran for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns. His receiving numbers were also higher with 38 receptions, 295 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Marable is having a down year, but with his 2019 campaign, he is a reliable back behind McCall. 

Wide receiver Jaivon Heiligh leads the team in receiving yards, by far. Heiligh has 35 receptions, 610 yards, and 6 touchdowns this season. This season is Heiligh’s best, already, and he could do even better.

On the defensive side of the football, linebacker, Silas Kelly has been reliable. Kelly leads the team in tackles with 52. He has also recorded 4 sacks on the year. Defensive lineman, Terron Jackson leads the Chanticleers in sacks with 6. Cornerback, D’Jordan Strong, is the only player on the team with multiple interceptions. 

Coastal Carolina is solid on both sides of the ball, but the offense definitely holds it’s own. From McCall, to Marable, to Heiligh, this team has the chance to reach the top-10 when the season is all said and done. Coastal Carolina’s hardest game of the season will be it’s last of the regular season against Liberty. The Liberty Flames are ranked 22nd in the nation. Watch out for the Chanticleers as they could make one of the big bowl games this season.