Better or worse? Previewing South Carolina's defense in 2019
June 28, 2019
One of Will Muschamp’s favorite phrases of the past recruiting cycle and offseason is the Gamecocks’ ability to develop competitive depth, especially on defense. The Gamecocks had a crush of injuries in 2018 on defense, and even played a walk-on in the secondary late in the season.
Of the 18 players who had surgery, 16 played defense. That hit to the depth chart was one main reason the Gamecocks had the second-worst rushing defense in the SEC last season as they gave up 195 yards per game. They also gave up 27.2 points per game, which was 11th in the SEC, the most under Muschamp and a full touchdown worse than 2017.
Muschamp helped the defense by landing 5-star DL Zacch Pickens, arguably the best prospect out of the Palmetto State since Jadeveon Clowney. Pickens was ranked the No. 8 player in his recruiting class by 247 Sports.
Another area that’s been much-maligned in recent years is the secondary, but Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu and R.J. Roderick are among the players looking to make an impact and turn around the pass defense’s reputation.
The Gamecocks return seven starters from the 2018 defense. Will they be better in 2019? That’s what we’re trying to find out.
Pressuring the QB: Better
Even with Pickens having an expected learning curve as a defensive line freshman, the most talented and experienced pass rusher, D.J. Wonnum, remaining healthy could be a game changer. Wonnum played just 5 games last season, and the Gamecocks won 4 of them. He had just 2 sacks, both against Tennessee, a year after he had 6 sacks, including 5 against SEC opponents. Wonnum is a potential all-SEC player as he looks to return to the 2017 form where he was picked as a team captain and generated 57 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss.
The Gamecocks still have Javon Kinlaw, who has 22 starts in 25 games in two seasons. He controls the interior and had 4.5 sacks last season. And they return T.J. Brunson at linebacker, and he chipped in 4 sacks. Brunson led the team with 106 tackles last season. He also was named a team captain in 2018, and has started every game the past 2 seasons. For his career, he has 15 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. (VIEW FULL ARTICLE) SDS FREE
June 28, 2019
One of Will Muschamp’s favorite phrases of the past recruiting cycle and offseason is the Gamecocks’ ability to develop competitive depth, especially on defense. The Gamecocks had a crush of injuries in 2018 on defense, and even played a walk-on in the secondary late in the season.
Of the 18 players who had surgery, 16 played defense. That hit to the depth chart was one main reason the Gamecocks had the second-worst rushing defense in the SEC last season as they gave up 195 yards per game. They also gave up 27.2 points per game, which was 11th in the SEC, the most under Muschamp and a full touchdown worse than 2017.
Muschamp helped the defense by landing 5-star DL Zacch Pickens, arguably the best prospect out of the Palmetto State since Jadeveon Clowney. Pickens was ranked the No. 8 player in his recruiting class by 247 Sports.
Another area that’s been much-maligned in recent years is the secondary, but Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu and R.J. Roderick are among the players looking to make an impact and turn around the pass defense’s reputation.
The Gamecocks return seven starters from the 2018 defense. Will they be better in 2019? That’s what we’re trying to find out.
Pressuring the QB: Better
Even with Pickens having an expected learning curve as a defensive line freshman, the most talented and experienced pass rusher, D.J. Wonnum, remaining healthy could be a game changer. Wonnum played just 5 games last season, and the Gamecocks won 4 of them. He had just 2 sacks, both against Tennessee, a year after he had 6 sacks, including 5 against SEC opponents. Wonnum is a potential all-SEC player as he looks to return to the 2017 form where he was picked as a team captain and generated 57 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss.
The Gamecocks still have Javon Kinlaw, who has 22 starts in 25 games in two seasons. He controls the interior and had 4.5 sacks last season. And they return T.J. Brunson at linebacker, and he chipped in 4 sacks. Brunson led the team with 106 tackles last season. He also was named a team captain in 2018, and has started every game the past 2 seasons. For his career, he has 15 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. (VIEW FULL ARTICLE) SDS FREE
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