W
Wes Mitchell
Guest
As the 2019 season quickly approaches, I'm going to post an assessment of each position on the team, as things stand currently, breaking down the strengths, weaknesses and outlook for the group. After looking at the quarterbacks Monday, we'll look at the defensive line today.
The depth chart
DE: Aaron Sterling OR Kingsley Enagbare
DT: Keir Thomas OR Rick Sandidge
DT: Kobe Smith (Jabari Ellis) [Javon Kinlaw isn't listed on the depth chart after missing the spring, but will be the starter here]
BUCK: DJ Wonnum (Brad Johnson)
Strengths
Will Muschamp seems genuinely excited about this bunch which should be his most talented, most experienced and the deepest defensive line he's had to work with since arriving in Columbia.
This unit has an interesting mix from potential All-SEC standouts like Javon Kinlaw and D.J. Wonnum to solid veterans like Keir Thomas and Kobe Smith to young highly recruited blue chippers like Zacch Pickens, Rick Sandidge, J.J. Enagbare and Joseph Anderson.
It's that mix of players that should lead to some interesting battles, not just this preseason camp, but also throughout the season as I expect the Gamecocks to not only have eight guys they can count on up front, but potentially up to 12 guys they trust depending on the progress of certain players. A true three-deep on the defensive line isn't something the Gamecocks have had in a long time.
There's also a variety of different skillsets among this group, especially when you add the young guys into the mix and start thinking about the potential of that group once they're comfortable at the major college level.
Areas of Improvement/Concern
As long as South Carolina can stay relatively healthy, and not lose their top two guys in Wonnum and Kinlaw like they did at times last year, there aren't any major concerns with this group, certainly not compared to last year. It's an upgrade for sure.
If we're going to get picky, though, I don't know if there's a truly elite edge rusher in the group or a massive nose tackle type who can plug up the middle like the staff envisioned for Josh Belk at one time. As good as the group has a chance to be on paper, they still have to go out and prove that they can be better, particularly against the run where South Carolina's entire defense struggled last season.
The bottom line
Wonnum and Kinlaw are sure starters, but there are going to be some interesting battles elsewhere. Aaron Sterling appeared to hold off Enagbare in the spring, but Enagbare had a great spring game and there are high expectations for him this season.
Thomas is a multiyear starter, essentially playing since he arrived in Columbia, but Sandidge quietly was one of the most improved players on the roster this spring and internally there's excitement about what he could bring to the position this year. Plus, Thomas could always slide out and play some end, as he has in the past, while Smith could play some alongside Kinlaw, as opposed to just backing him up.
Throw in the fact that Pickens was a five-star for a reason, and isn't going to be held down for long, and there should be some fun position races to watch here and the opportunity for the Gamecocks to mix and match up front based on their opponent and in-game situations.
What's the key to possibly being a three-deep front? The progress of Jabari Ellis, Joe Anderson and Tyreek Johnson, who returns from injury.
The depth chart
DE: Aaron Sterling OR Kingsley Enagbare
DT: Keir Thomas OR Rick Sandidge
DT: Kobe Smith (Jabari Ellis) [Javon Kinlaw isn't listed on the depth chart after missing the spring, but will be the starter here]
BUCK: DJ Wonnum (Brad Johnson)
Strengths
Will Muschamp seems genuinely excited about this bunch which should be his most talented, most experienced and the deepest defensive line he's had to work with since arriving in Columbia.
This unit has an interesting mix from potential All-SEC standouts like Javon Kinlaw and D.J. Wonnum to solid veterans like Keir Thomas and Kobe Smith to young highly recruited blue chippers like Zacch Pickens, Rick Sandidge, J.J. Enagbare and Joseph Anderson.
It's that mix of players that should lead to some interesting battles, not just this preseason camp, but also throughout the season as I expect the Gamecocks to not only have eight guys they can count on up front, but potentially up to 12 guys they trust depending on the progress of certain players. A true three-deep on the defensive line isn't something the Gamecocks have had in a long time.
There's also a variety of different skillsets among this group, especially when you add the young guys into the mix and start thinking about the potential of that group once they're comfortable at the major college level.
Areas of Improvement/Concern
As long as South Carolina can stay relatively healthy, and not lose their top two guys in Wonnum and Kinlaw like they did at times last year, there aren't any major concerns with this group, certainly not compared to last year. It's an upgrade for sure.
If we're going to get picky, though, I don't know if there's a truly elite edge rusher in the group or a massive nose tackle type who can plug up the middle like the staff envisioned for Josh Belk at one time. As good as the group has a chance to be on paper, they still have to go out and prove that they can be better, particularly against the run where South Carolina's entire defense struggled last season.
The bottom line
Wonnum and Kinlaw are sure starters, but there are going to be some interesting battles elsewhere. Aaron Sterling appeared to hold off Enagbare in the spring, but Enagbare had a great spring game and there are high expectations for him this season.
Thomas is a multiyear starter, essentially playing since he arrived in Columbia, but Sandidge quietly was one of the most improved players on the roster this spring and internally there's excitement about what he could bring to the position this year. Plus, Thomas could always slide out and play some end, as he has in the past, while Smith could play some alongside Kinlaw, as opposed to just backing him up.
Throw in the fact that Pickens was a five-star for a reason, and isn't going to be held down for long, and there should be some fun position races to watch here and the opportunity for the Gamecocks to mix and match up front based on their opponent and in-game situations.
What's the key to possibly being a three-deep front? The progress of Jabari Ellis, Joe Anderson and Tyreek Johnson, who returns from injury.
