Meet the man (or men) tasked with replacing Skai Moore

When Sherrod Greene arrived at South Carolina, he brought with him a reputation as a thumper.

In the North Carolina high school football league he was in, offenses ran the ball early, often and almost always. He was tasked with running down ball carriers, taking on blocks and blowing up option plays. The pass just wasn’t as much of a factor.

Now, he’s competing with one player to replace one of the better pass coverage linebackers in the history of the SEC.

Greene looks like the favorite to start against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 1 at the team’s dime linebacker spot, the one held by Skai Moore last season. That would be the Skai Moore who picked off 14 career passes and four times led USC in tackles.

So what’s changed from year 1 to year 2 for Greene?

“Just more confident in what everybody’s doing on the field,” Greene said. “Because now I know more plays and stuff, and I know the guys I’m playing with better.”

He’s still battling with former junior college transfer Eldridge Thompson, but Thompson has been in a yellow noncontact jersey most of camp, and at one point was even out of pads.

It’s been a bit of a transformation for Greene. The 6-foot-1, 228-pound linebacker was a backup in the middle early last season, but was thrust into a role on the strongside when Bryson Allen-Williams was lost for the season. Greene made 22 tackles and started two games,

“He’s very athletic,” defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson said. “He’s very smart. He plays multiple spots. You look at him last year, he played dime and Sam. Right now, he’s playing Mike and dime. He doesn’t even have to practice a bunch of reps at Sam to get Sam. So we don’t even have to get into a game situation, we’ll be able to put him at Sam.

“That’s very beneficial. You’ve got to have guys like that.”

With T.J. Brunson firmly established in the middle, USC needs that replacement for Moore, now with the Indianapolis Colts, at the other primary linebacker spot.

Thompson could give USC a different look, but he might have ground to make up.

“(Thompson) kind of started a little bit of a leg back because of the hamstring deal,” linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler said. “They’re going back and forth.”

Thompson has focused on using his hands better and eye discipline during camp. At times, the coaches have pulled Brunson off the field, moved Greene to the middle and worked him alongside Thompson.

Thompson came to USC on the skinny side, but had a high ceiling in coverage as a former safety. He’s now 229 pounds, and after making 10 tackles in 12 games, he’s also seeing some changes in his second gear.

“It’s very different, because it slowed down,” Thompson said. “You’re prepared more and that you are focused, locked in.”

Hutzler said Thompson can bring something with his speed, and he got some work early last season in passing situations.

What the duo can do and who starts will have a big impact on the middle of USC’s defense. Having Moore and his range last year gave the defense leeway in spots. They might have to adapt, or Greene or Thompson could come in and put a twist on what USC is doing.

“I think they both have their own qualities of how they play within our scheme and everything,” Brunson said.

This story was originally published August 23, 2018 at 7:57 PM.