Gamecocks to get a boost of athleticism at linebacker

South Carolina’s football team mostly knows what it has with its top group of linebackers.

Skai Moore was an anchor for years. Bryson Allen-Williams was an anchor last year. T.J. Brunson has showed what he might be able to do for a year as a backup.

But that’s not enough.

Even in the spread era, a team can’t survive with only three linebackers for a season. There are four new guys in the fold, three true freshmen and a junior college transfer.

And they might add an extra level of speed and athleticism.

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Gamecocks inside linebacker coach Coleman Hutzler said. “All four guys that we signed can really run. We saw that live and in person at camp.

“Davonne Bowen’s track numbers speak for themselves. All four of those guys can really run. They’re big, skilled bodies that can run, which is huge.”

Bowen’s the one who ran a sub-11 second 100-meter dash at 6-foot-1, 218 pounds. He’s joined by Sherrod Greene, an athletic 6-1, 223-pounder; Damani Staley, a record-setting pass rusher at Ridge View High who has to transition to playing in space; and Eldridge Thompson, a former safety and junior college player who hasn’t reached his ceiling.

From that group, the aim is to build more of a rotation and get a bit more young, raw speed onto the field.

“It’s going to add depth, for sure,” Brunson said. “We definitely need it.”

Against most offenses, the Gamecocks will be in the nickel, playing two linebackers, but there are some opponents that will require the old-school schemes with three.

The group of newcomers comes with a share of questions.

Thompson seems most likely to step in because of his junior college pedigree and age (he’s three years removed from high school), but his coaches have said there’s a lot of room for growth.

Bowen and Staley could get tried out at the Buck defensive end spot, and Staley is only 210 pounds heading into fall camp. Greene’s biggest change will be playing more in space, as his high school opponents ran mostly power-running attacks.

At least one, maybe two will have to find a way to contribute this season.

“Fall camp is going to be huge for them,” Hutzler said. “They’ve got to pick it up, pick it up quick and get ready to play.”

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 4:06 PM.