Projecting South Carolina’s defensive depth chart heading into the summer

South Carolina’s spring season wrapped final weekend with the annual Garnet and Black spring recreation.

Because the mud begins to settle and with Shane Beamer’s second offseason as head coach in Columbia on deck, right here’s a have a look at the place we predict the defensive depth chart stands heading into the summer time:

Defensive finish/Edge

Starters: Jordan Strachan, Jordan Burch

Backups: Terrell Dawkins, Gilber Edmond

No adjustments right here. Defensive finish continues to be going to be what I’m calling, “Jordan Squared,” with Jordan Burch and Jordan Strachan at both spot.

Burch was disruptive in the course of the spring recreation and induced issues for South Carolina’s offensive line. That’s a optimistic growth in case you’re Beamer and Firm, contemplating the previous five-star hasn’t fairly put every thing collectively since he landed in Columbia.

The previous Hammond College star was buried behind a handful of uber-talented gamers his first two years on campus. This 12 months, Burch needs to be a focus of the Gamecocks’ cross rush.

Strachan falls in the same class after being in a extra rotational position in 2021. The previous Georgia State standout examined the NFL Draft waters earlier than deciding to return for an additional season at South Carolina. He’s mentioned he has unfinished enterprise and USC will hope that interprets to the shape that noticed him tie for the nationwide lead in sacks in 2020 at GSU.

Behind Burch and Strachan, N.C. State switch Terrell Dawkins continues to get rave critiques in his transition to South Carolina. He discovered himself within the backfield a handful of instances within the spring recreation and also needs to be an vital piece at defensive finish this 12 months.

Defensive sort out

Starters: Zacch Pickens, Alex “Boogie” Huntley

Backups: Rick Sandidge, Tonka Hemingway

Zacch Pickens, like Burch, got here to South Carolina as a five-star participant with ample hype. He’s performed extra of a central position in his time in Columbia and he’ll once more be counted on this 12 months.

The most important change right here is shifting Alex Huntley right into a beginning slot, as a substitute of Rick Sandidge. Huntley has been a power all through the spring and was an issue within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. He’s as massive a breakout candidate as there’s on this protection.

Sandidge ought to nonetheless see loads of time this 12 months as he continues rehabbing from final 12 months’s season-ending ankle harm. He didn’t take part within the spring recreation and was restricted for many of South Carolina’s 15 practices during the last month-plus. I’m giving the nod to Huntley over sturdiness issues with Sandidge.

Mike/Center linebacker

Starter: Sherrod Greene

Backup: Debo Williams

Sherrod Greene’s harm induced a ripple impact in the course of the South Carolina protection final 12 months. After months of rehab, he’s again.

Greene seemed nearer to type in the course of the spring recreation and he’ll be a useful piece for this group at linebacker, ought to he keep wholesome.

Debo Williams continues to be an intriguing participant this 12 months and down the road. The Delaware switch didn’t play a season throughout his freshman 12 months after COVID-19 washed out the Blue Hens’ marketing campaign.

Now in his second 12 months at South Carolina, Williams ought to once more be a particular groups standout and supply vital depth behind Greene at linebacker.

Will/Weakside linebacker

Starter: Brad Johnson

Backup: Mo Kaba

Brad Johnson ought to nonetheless be the starter right here, however Mo Kaba goes to make a severe push for enjoying time.

Kaba got here to USC as a four-star prospect in Will Muschamp’s 2020 class. He’s slowly labored his manner up the depth chart after being thrust into motion in the course of the COVID-shortened 2020 season. That have constructed a basis for him and it’s a superb guess he’ll get loads of time this fall.

That’s to not low cost Johnson, both. The transformed defensive lineman was a strong filler piece in the course of the protection final 12 months and is likely one of the extra skilled gamers on the roster. Now heading into his second full season at linebacker, he’ll be counted on once more.

South Carolina is skinny at linebacker. Kaba’s emergence coupled with Johnson’s transition solely stands to assist the group.

Cornerback

Starters: Cam Smith, Darius Rush

Backups: O’Donnell Fortune, Marcellas Dial, Isaiah Norris

South Carolina could also be as deep within the secondary because it has been in a pair seasons.

Cam Smith is a official All-SEC candidate and has the type of versatility that may see him transfer everywhere in the subject this 12 months (extra on that in a second). Rush, too, had his moments in 2021 and returns to assist anchor the group.

O’Donnell Fortune and Marcellas Dial weren’t requested to do an excessive amount of final 12 months, however each give the Gamecocks depth. Dial additionally noticed time at nickel and figures to be within the combine there once more relying how defensive coordinator Clayton White needs to line up.

Security

Starters: R.J. Roderick, Devonni Reed

Backups: Tyrese Ross

South Carolina might lose Jaylan Foster, however Devonni Reed is about as productive a alternative because the Gamecocks may’ve hoped for.

Reed recorded greater than 200 tackles throughout his time at Central Michigan and has drawn loads of reward since he arrived on campus. He’s a certain tackler and will assist in the run recreation in addition to in protection.

R.J. Roderick is one other a type of gamers that would’ve left, however determined to come back again for another run. He’ll be a starter once more this 12 months and offers the Gamecocks loads of expertise on the again finish.

Tyrese Ross by no means actually acquired into the combination final season after leaving Washington State. He needs to be extra concerned in his second 12 months in this system and, as a minimum, be a strong depth piece behind Reed and Roderick.

Nickel

Starter: David Spaulding/Cam Smith

Backups: Marcellas Dial

Right here’s the place issues get difficult so far as projections.

David Spaulding missed many of the spring with an harm, resulting in Smith enjoying extra nickel during the last month or so. Beamer praised Smith’s play within the slot and certain feels like he’d like to make use of him in that spot.

That’s to not say Spaulding was a slouch final season — removed from it, actually. He notched 22 tackles, three cross breakups, an interception and a compelled fumble throughout his first season at USC after transferring from Georgia Southern. He’ll be an vital piece once more assuming he will get again to full well being.

Dial, too, may add some depth as wanted at nickel. He figures to get extra time at cornerback if Smith performs extra out of the slot, however don’t be stunned to see him on the sphere a superb bit this 12 months.