Gamecocks 2022 defense key players
August 26, 2022
Talking 2022 Gamecock Defense
Defensive coordinator Clayton White is heading into his second year. His first unit outperformed just about every preseason prognostication in leading the Southeastern Conference in passing defense and takeaways. These Gamecocks will be crucial to replicating that success in 2022:
DEVONNI REED, SAFETY Devonni Reed is perhaps the most unheralded of the names on this list, but he’s filling as big a vacated spot as there is from last year’s squad. The Central Michigan transfer will be tasked with replacing 2021 All-American Jaylan Foster, who exploded from walk-on to superstar during his final season at South Carolina in 2021. Reed has been highly productive at the college level already recording just under 300 tackles during his four years with the Chippewas. He was named a second-team All-MAC performer last season and earned third-team honors the year before from the league’s coaches. The Gamecocks have plenty of experience next to Reed in sixth-year senior R.J. Roderick. Freshman Nick Emmanwori and Tyrese Ross should both see plenty of time as depth pieces, too. However, South Carolina needs stability out of Reed. If he can give the Gamecocks that much, the secondary can take another step toward being one of the SEC’s best units in 2022.
CAM SMITH, CB A pre-season All-American. Beamer and White are giddy about the versatility performer, the former Blythewood High standout brings as both a cornerback and a nickel. He’s repped at both spots during the portions of fall camp open to reporters, and that should carry into the season. Given that positional flexibility, Smith has the makings of an absolute menace for opposing quarterbacks. Smith also has about as much preseason NFL Draft hype as any player on South Carolina’s roster. He’ll be the leader of the secondary and should rank among the best defensive backs in all of college football this fall. Don’t be surprised if he ends up sneaking into the first round of the 2023 draft if he puts up even bigger numbers this fall.
ZACCH PICKENS, DT Zacch Pickens is coming off his best campaign since signing with South Carolina as a five-star recruit in the 2019 class. Pickens finished the year with 38 stops good for the second-best mark on the team among defensive linemen, behind only Jabari Ellis. The Gamecocks had their issues against the run last season, and it’ll fall on Pickens and running mate Alex “Boogie” Huntley to slow things on the interior. Pickens considered leaving early for the NFL Draft last year. He instead opted for one more season in Columbia. The ex-T.L. Hanna High standout has largely lived up to his immense recruiting hype, but one more dominant campaign could be what takes his career to the next level.
August 26, 2022
Talking 2022 Gamecock Defense
Defensive coordinator Clayton White is heading into his second year. His first unit outperformed just about every preseason prognostication in leading the Southeastern Conference in passing defense and takeaways. These Gamecocks will be crucial to replicating that success in 2022:
DEVONNI REED, SAFETY Devonni Reed is perhaps the most unheralded of the names on this list, but he’s filling as big a vacated spot as there is from last year’s squad. The Central Michigan transfer will be tasked with replacing 2021 All-American Jaylan Foster, who exploded from walk-on to superstar during his final season at South Carolina in 2021. Reed has been highly productive at the college level already recording just under 300 tackles during his four years with the Chippewas. He was named a second-team All-MAC performer last season and earned third-team honors the year before from the league’s coaches. The Gamecocks have plenty of experience next to Reed in sixth-year senior R.J. Roderick. Freshman Nick Emmanwori and Tyrese Ross should both see plenty of time as depth pieces, too. However, South Carolina needs stability out of Reed. If he can give the Gamecocks that much, the secondary can take another step toward being one of the SEC’s best units in 2022.
CAM SMITH, CB A pre-season All-American. Beamer and White are giddy about the versatility performer, the former Blythewood High standout brings as both a cornerback and a nickel. He’s repped at both spots during the portions of fall camp open to reporters, and that should carry into the season. Given that positional flexibility, Smith has the makings of an absolute menace for opposing quarterbacks. Smith also has about as much preseason NFL Draft hype as any player on South Carolina’s roster. He’ll be the leader of the secondary and should rank among the best defensive backs in all of college football this fall. Don’t be surprised if he ends up sneaking into the first round of the 2023 draft if he puts up even bigger numbers this fall.
ZACCH PICKENS, DT Zacch Pickens is coming off his best campaign since signing with South Carolina as a five-star recruit in the 2019 class. Pickens finished the year with 38 stops good for the second-best mark on the team among defensive linemen, behind only Jabari Ellis. The Gamecocks had their issues against the run last season, and it’ll fall on Pickens and running mate Alex “Boogie” Huntley to slow things on the interior. Pickens considered leaving early for the NFL Draft last year. He instead opted for one more season in Columbia. The ex-T.L. Hanna High standout has largely lived up to his immense recruiting hype, but one more dominant campaign could be what takes his career to the next level.
