Gamecock coaches expect a big season from former 5-star Jordan Burch
August 04, 2022
Jordan Burch is one of the highest-ranked high school recruits to ever sign to play football at South Carolina. After two years playing behind the likes of Aaron Sterling and NFL Draft pick Kingsley Enagbare, Burch is now a junior and is being counted on for increased production in the 2022 season. Coach Beamer said as much during the spring and reiterated it while talking to reporters after his media golf tournament last week.
Beamer said. “Jordan Burch knows that it is his time.” During his high school career, Burch ascended to be the No. 1 recruit in the country the five-star prospect finished No. 8 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings when he signed to play at South Carolina. He was the second-highest-rated signee for the Gamecocks, according to those rankings, behind only Jadeveon Clowney.
Burch had 19 tackles as a freshman, but his season was cut short because of a hand injury. In 2021, he appeared in every game, had 26 tackles, and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt. Burch, now 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, also made his first career start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory over North Carolina. “He is definitely physically gifted and the sky’s the limit for him,” South Carolina defensive ends coach Sterling Lucas said. “He has been working hard and bought into all the techniques that we are coaching. I’m really excited about him and the production that is to come.”
Lucas, in his first year on Beamer’s staff, was in the NFL since 2016 with Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars. With that NFL background, Lucas knows what it takes to be successful in the league and said Burch has the physical tools to be a pro. Lucas said he studied a lot of Burch’s films from last year and then saw progress during the spring. “When he played, he played pretty well,” Lucas said. “Now, he is setting dominant edges. And when he is rushing the passer, he did at a high level this spring.” Burch won’t be the only one looking for a big year coming off the edge. Transfers Jordan Strachan and Terrrell Dawkins will also be in the mix to make an impact. Strachan led the FBS in sacks at Georgia State in 2020 before transferring to the Gamecocks. Last season, Strachan had 22 tackles, three sacks, and an interception in his Gamecocks debut. Dawkins is in his first year at South Carolina after being at North Carolina State the past three seasons. “Jordan Strachan has a huge chip on his shoulder coming to the SEC,” Lucas said. “He wants to prove he can play at a high level. He is a really good pass rusher and has really bought into stopping the run.”
August 04, 2022
Jordan Burch is one of the highest-ranked high school recruits to ever sign to play football at South Carolina. After two years playing behind the likes of Aaron Sterling and NFL Draft pick Kingsley Enagbare, Burch is now a junior and is being counted on for increased production in the 2022 season. Coach Beamer said as much during the spring and reiterated it while talking to reporters after his media golf tournament last week.
Beamer said. “Jordan Burch knows that it is his time.” During his high school career, Burch ascended to be the No. 1 recruit in the country the five-star prospect finished No. 8 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings when he signed to play at South Carolina. He was the second-highest-rated signee for the Gamecocks, according to those rankings, behind only Jadeveon Clowney.
Burch had 19 tackles as a freshman, but his season was cut short because of a hand injury. In 2021, he appeared in every game, had 26 tackles, and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt. Burch, now 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, also made his first career start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory over North Carolina. “He is definitely physically gifted and the sky’s the limit for him,” South Carolina defensive ends coach Sterling Lucas said. “He has been working hard and bought into all the techniques that we are coaching. I’m really excited about him and the production that is to come.”
Lucas, in his first year on Beamer’s staff, was in the NFL since 2016 with Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars. With that NFL background, Lucas knows what it takes to be successful in the league and said Burch has the physical tools to be a pro. Lucas said he studied a lot of Burch’s films from last year and then saw progress during the spring. “When he played, he played pretty well,” Lucas said. “Now, he is setting dominant edges. And when he is rushing the passer, he did at a high level this spring.” Burch won’t be the only one looking for a big year coming off the edge. Transfers Jordan Strachan and Terrrell Dawkins will also be in the mix to make an impact. Strachan led the FBS in sacks at Georgia State in 2020 before transferring to the Gamecocks. Last season, Strachan had 22 tackles, three sacks, and an interception in his Gamecocks debut. Dawkins is in his first year at South Carolina after being at North Carolina State the past three seasons. “Jordan Strachan has a huge chip on his shoulder coming to the SEC,” Lucas said. “He wants to prove he can play at a high level. He is a really good pass rusher and has really bought into stopping the run.”
