Pair of Gamecock rookies named to Freshman All-SEC team
The future is bright for South Carolina on the defensive side of the ball, with a pair of Gamecock rookies earning Freshman All-SEC honors on Thursday in defensive back Jammie Robinson and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.
Robinson, a three-star recruit out of Leesburg, Georgia, was not the most highly touted defensive back in the class, but he emerged as the team’s starting nickleback in camp and played in every game, finishing with 62 tackles, third on the team, as well as an interception, a forced fumble and four pass break-ups. He was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus.
Pickens, a top-rated recruit from T.L. Hanna, was the first five-star commit of the Will Muschamp era at South Carolina. Stepping into a crowded position room with established starters in Javon Kinlaw and Kobe Smith, he still played in all 12 games this season, making 16 tackles, including a season-high six in the season opener against North Carolina. He was also credited with one QB hurry.
This marks the second season in a row South Carolina has placed a pair of first-year players on the team — last season, offensive lineman Dylan Wonnum and defensive back Jaycee Horn were voted on. It also marks the third consecutive year a USC defensive back has been honored; Robinson and Horn were preceded by Jamyest Williams in 2017.
Earlier this week, South Carolina had four players named to All-SEC teams — senior receiver Bryan Edwards was honored on the coaches’ squad, senior pass rusher D.J. Wonnum and sophomore cornerback Israel Mukuamu were selected by the media and senior defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was honored on both teams.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 11:10 AM.
