A little more here on a Gamecocks defense that hopes to show improvement in year two under Will Muschamp…
From what I gather, there are two main concerns with this defense heading into 2017. First, of course, is overall depth. USC is in a situation in which its secondary is without a player (Jaylin Dickerson) that would have at a minimum played and added depth, and could very well be without multi-position player Steven Montac for the season opener as well. Beyond that, the Gamecocks are relying on some new faces to help some on the front four, and there is not a single scholarship linebacker with experience on the roster beyond the starting trio of Bryson Allen-Williams, TJ Brunson, and Skai Moore.
Starting up front, the two players that I’ve heard the most positive returns on for the defensive line are senior tackle Taylor Stallworth and BUCK DJ Wonnum. Stallworth is trimmed down, a strong player, and someone capable of playing three-technique or nose. Wonnum is a technician type who may not be the most explosive defensive end out there, but is 25-30 pounds heavier than last season and is poised to take a step forward as a sophomore. The vibe I get is that South Carolina should show some level of improvement up front from last season (in terms of both stopping the run and pass rush), but that the expectation should be moderate, not monumental. USC has to continue recruiting in order to upgrade there. Kobe Smith is a guy that should see his role increase, and Keir Thomas could help inside or outside. Dante Sawyer (end) and Ulric Jones (tackle) project as the starters for game one at the positions opposite Wonnum and Stallworth.
There’s been ample talk about freshman defensive end Aaron Sterling here, whether it’s from our GamecockCentral.com staff information or in-person observations, or on the record talk from USC coaches and players. He’s already worked his way up the depth chart (for example, surpassing Shameik Blackshear) and his combination of quicks, leverage, and pass-rushing ability should see him land some snaps this season.
It will be interesting to see what USC gets from freshman BUCK Brad Johnson this season, as well. He could factor in on special teams or with snaps at BUCK. I do know that long-term that USC’s staff is very high on him. As Muschamp has pointed out, it’s not always “add water, instant player”, despite how highly thought of a guy is heading into year one.
Newcomer Javon Kinlaw: I get the sense USC feels he can be a very disruptive player, but that he’ll need a year in order to get there. Don’t mistake as me saying he won’t see the field in 2017; he will. It will be on a more situational basis. Kinlaw can get in the middle and eat some blocks, which will be important in some games and situations. He needs to continue to get into optimum shape and keep learning, so I’d anticipate his snaps being more limited this season.
The two newcomer linebackers that project to play the most based on practice snaps and what we’ve heard are Sherrod Greene and Eldridge Thompson. Muschamp singled out Thompson during one of his media opportunities as someone who had made strides mentally as of late. He’s definitely athletic, and I’d anticipate both of those guys needing play snaps. It will be interesting to see how the staff distributes those repetitions, and when.
From what I gather, the feel around the program is that South Carolina feels its starters in the secondary had a good offseason and preseason camp. As mentioned earlier, the depth behind those guys is the concern, should there be an injury or two. Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons, Jamarcus King, and DJ Smith all played well in the preseason, overall. Smith, in particular, is someone that I would even classify as a surprise given how he progressed from the spring until now. Jamyest Williams is still learning but will play a good bit in the secondary (especially if Montac is out) at nickel. Folks are surely wondering about Keisean Nixon’s progress, and athletically the staff remains high on his potential. His late arrival just amplified his learning curve; he could be one of those guys who comes along as the season goes on. Recent scholarship earner Javon Charleston is one of the primary backups at safety as of now.
From what I gather, there are two main concerns with this defense heading into 2017. First, of course, is overall depth. USC is in a situation in which its secondary is without a player (Jaylin Dickerson) that would have at a minimum played and added depth, and could very well be without multi-position player Steven Montac for the season opener as well. Beyond that, the Gamecocks are relying on some new faces to help some on the front four, and there is not a single scholarship linebacker with experience on the roster beyond the starting trio of Bryson Allen-Williams, TJ Brunson, and Skai Moore.
Starting up front, the two players that I’ve heard the most positive returns on for the defensive line are senior tackle Taylor Stallworth and BUCK DJ Wonnum. Stallworth is trimmed down, a strong player, and someone capable of playing three-technique or nose. Wonnum is a technician type who may not be the most explosive defensive end out there, but is 25-30 pounds heavier than last season and is poised to take a step forward as a sophomore. The vibe I get is that South Carolina should show some level of improvement up front from last season (in terms of both stopping the run and pass rush), but that the expectation should be moderate, not monumental. USC has to continue recruiting in order to upgrade there. Kobe Smith is a guy that should see his role increase, and Keir Thomas could help inside or outside. Dante Sawyer (end) and Ulric Jones (tackle) project as the starters for game one at the positions opposite Wonnum and Stallworth.
There’s been ample talk about freshman defensive end Aaron Sterling here, whether it’s from our GamecockCentral.com staff information or in-person observations, or on the record talk from USC coaches and players. He’s already worked his way up the depth chart (for example, surpassing Shameik Blackshear) and his combination of quicks, leverage, and pass-rushing ability should see him land some snaps this season.
It will be interesting to see what USC gets from freshman BUCK Brad Johnson this season, as well. He could factor in on special teams or with snaps at BUCK. I do know that long-term that USC’s staff is very high on him. As Muschamp has pointed out, it’s not always “add water, instant player”, despite how highly thought of a guy is heading into year one.
Newcomer Javon Kinlaw: I get the sense USC feels he can be a very disruptive player, but that he’ll need a year in order to get there. Don’t mistake as me saying he won’t see the field in 2017; he will. It will be on a more situational basis. Kinlaw can get in the middle and eat some blocks, which will be important in some games and situations. He needs to continue to get into optimum shape and keep learning, so I’d anticipate his snaps being more limited this season.
The two newcomer linebackers that project to play the most based on practice snaps and what we’ve heard are Sherrod Greene and Eldridge Thompson. Muschamp singled out Thompson during one of his media opportunities as someone who had made strides mentally as of late. He’s definitely athletic, and I’d anticipate both of those guys needing play snaps. It will be interesting to see how the staff distributes those repetitions, and when.
From what I gather, the feel around the program is that South Carolina feels its starters in the secondary had a good offseason and preseason camp. As mentioned earlier, the depth behind those guys is the concern, should there be an injury or two. Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons, Jamarcus King, and DJ Smith all played well in the preseason, overall. Smith, in particular, is someone that I would even classify as a surprise given how he progressed from the spring until now. Jamyest Williams is still learning but will play a good bit in the secondary (especially if Montac is out) at nickel. Folks are surely wondering about Keisean Nixon’s progress, and athletically the staff remains high on his potential. His late arrival just amplified his learning curve; he could be one of those guys who comes along as the season goes on. Recent scholarship earner Javon Charleston is one of the primary backups at safety as of now.
