‘They’re going to win the SEC East.’ What departing Gamecocks said about program’s future
Javon Kinlaw wasn’t in the uniform he usually wears at Williams-Brice Stadium. The helmet was replaced by a cap and the No. 3 garnet jersey was subbed out for a black gown.
But take the football attire off him and Kinlaw doesn’t lose any of his intimidating features. He’s 6-foot-6, 310 pounds as a graduating college senior or a defensive tackle. He was the former during a Monday ring ceremony for USC student-athletes. His presence hovering above the rest.
So when Kinlaw spoke to local media for a final time, his voice demanded attention.
What does Kinlaw think about the future of Carolina football under Will Muschamp?
“They’re going to win the SEC East,” Kinlaw said. “I’m telling you.”
Muschamp is now the embattled USC coach coming off a 4-8 record in his fourth season. After a series of confusing statements, it was finally made clear in late November that he’d back for a fifth. Muschamp has since made staff changes, including the hire of new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
The Gamecocks next year play LSU, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M, among others. In 2021, they got Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M.
So what’s the ETA of this division title?
“Might not be next year,” Kinlaw said, “but one of these years, I’m telling you. I’m telling you right now.”
Why is Kinlaw so confident in Muschamp?
“It’s just the way he is,” said the Associated Press first-team All-American and likely high draft pick. “Just the way he approaches everything. The way he is, it rubs off on the players. So once he really surrounds the program with all the right components and pieces and things, that’s why I’m saying. That’s when you’re going to start see it. I’m telling you now.”
Other departing Gamecocks wouldn’t go as far as Kinlaw’s bold prediction, but they were similarly optimistic about what’s ahead for their alma mater.
“I think it’s a great program,” said running back/defensive back A.J. Turner. “We didn’t have a good year this year but I feel like we’re going to bounce back next year.”
“I would say it’s in a good place,” added defensive tackle Kobe Smith. “I know we didn’t really have the best season, but I feel like we’re gonna be in a good place and everything. I know Coach Muschamp is going to get all the boys ready and stuff and I know everybody is going to have that mentality.”
South Carolina is two years removed from nine wins and an Outback Bowl championship. But it’s also a few weeks removed from its second-worst season since 2000.
“It’s been wild, but that’s just football — ups and downs and things like that,” Kinlaw said. “But I know he’s going to get it in the right direction, man. Only time will tell.”
USC December graduates
Baseball: Adam Everett, Jack Wynkoop
Equestrian: Hannah Powers, Madison Thiel
Football: Michael Almond, Jake Bentley, T.J. Brunson, Rico Dowdle, Bryan Edwards, Daniel Fennell, Johnathan Joseph, Javon Kinlaw, Kiel Pollard, Kobe Smith, Keir Thomas, Will Tommie, A.J. Turner
Men’s Soccer: Aleksander Bjerke Christensson, Luca Mayr, Paul Quildies
Women’s Soccer: Elexa Bahr, Grace Fisk, Mikayla Krzeczowski, Estefania Salas
Softball: Dixie Raley, Lauren Stewart
Women’s Tennis: Silvia Chinellato
Women’s Track & Field: Hanifah Abdulqadir, Tatyana Mills
Volleyball: Callista Brown, Mikayla Shields
This story was originally published December 16, 2019 at 2:40 PM.
