The defensive line rotation will be set as soon as freshman Phillip Dukes returns from a concussion.
Dukes has missed three practices and won’t return until he has cleared the training staff’s cognitive testing, but he will be the No. 2 defensive tackle upon his return, defensive line coach Brad Lawing said Tuesday.
Dukes and Gerald Dixon Jr. will back up Byron Jerideau and Kelcy Quarles on the inside, and Aldrick Forham and Chaz Sutton will back up Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor at end, Lawing said.
Dukes was a four-star prospect coming out of Manning two years ago but a leg injury last fall necessitated a redshirt season in 2011.
“He’s done well,” Lawing said. “I am looking forward to him getting back out there.”
Lawing still hasn’t found a true replacement for Travian Robertson, who served as the team’s “push guy” last year, he said. Robertson’s stout presence pushing the middle of the offensive line allowed the remaining defensive linemen more freedom, but the defensive line may have a different look this year, Lawing has decided.
“I have got several guys that are giving some push,” Lawing said. “In passing situations, I may have changed my philosophy some. We’ll see.”
The new philosophy?
“If you’ve got legs, you use legs,” Lawing said. “If you’ve got a big (behind), use that (behind) and push. I’ve got some legs (this year).” http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/21/273797/practice-report-d-line-spots-shape.html
Dukes has missed three practices and won’t return until he has cleared the training staff’s cognitive testing, but he will be the No. 2 defensive tackle upon his return, defensive line coach Brad Lawing said Tuesday.
Dukes and Gerald Dixon Jr. will back up Byron Jerideau and Kelcy Quarles on the inside, and Aldrick Forham and Chaz Sutton will back up Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor at end, Lawing said.
Dukes was a four-star prospect coming out of Manning two years ago but a leg injury last fall necessitated a redshirt season in 2011.
“He’s done well,” Lawing said. “I am looking forward to him getting back out there.”
Lawing still hasn’t found a true replacement for Travian Robertson, who served as the team’s “push guy” last year, he said. Robertson’s stout presence pushing the middle of the offensive line allowed the remaining defensive linemen more freedom, but the defensive line may have a different look this year, Lawing has decided.
“I have got several guys that are giving some push,” Lawing said. “In passing situations, I may have changed my philosophy some. We’ll see.”
The new philosophy?
“If you’ve got legs, you use legs,” Lawing said. “If you’ve got a big (behind), use that (behind) and push. I’ve got some legs (this year).” http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/21/273797/practice-report-d-line-spots-shape.html