South Carolina needs a second-year leap from Zacch Pickens. Is he up to the task?
The look on his face says it all.
As soon as Zacch Pickens hears the question, he cracks a weary smile, looks down and lets out a deep sigh.
Just how hard is it to be a freshman on the defensive line?
“It is difficult,” Pickens says on a Wednesday Zoom call with reporters, “because learning all the plays and trying not to mess up, that’s where I got messed up — trying to not mess up and trying to be right and not look crazy out there on the field.”
Despite coming to South Carolina as a five-star recruit and one of the nation’s top prospects, Pickens experienced some growing pains and inconsistencies as a freshman last season. Switching from defensive end, where he played at T.L. Hanna High School, to defensive tackle proved especially challenging.
But one year later, Pickens has found that he is doubting himself less. He’s not worried quite as much about messing up. Playing defensive tackle feels more natural.
“I’m more comfortable with it now because I’m used to it,” the sophomore said. “I had a year of it. So I’m really comfortable with it. At first I was like, ‘I don’t know about that D-tackle because you’re taking on like 300 pounds like every time.’ I got used to it now.
“I’ve noticed I’m doing everything faster. I know the plays faster. When I was a freshman, it was a struggle getting the plays. Now I’m learning it. I’m playing a little bit faster, and coach is depending on me, really. He’s depending on all of us.”
The Gamecocks will need Pickens to take a leap this season after losing veteran mainstays Javon Kinlaw and Kobe Smith to the NFL. Ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the country in the 247Sports Composite rankings, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Pickens has all the physical tools necessary to excel but has needed to refine his technique and mental approach.
The Gamecocks have encouraged him to play with a little more edge. Pickens said earlier in the spring that new defensive line coach Tracy Rocker was trying to “get this dog out of me.”
On Wednesday, head coach Will Muschamp listed Pickens among several players he thought performed well in camp, while also highlighting senior defensive lineman Jabari Ellis. Pickens said Ellis and fellow senior Kier Thomas have been practicing with the first-team defense. Talented freshmen Alex Huntley and Tonka Hemingway add intrigue to the group, as well.
While the void left by Smith and the first-rounder Kinlaw would appear to be a large one, Pickens expressed confidence in both himself and the entire line.
“I feel like we can be better than last year,” Pickens said. “Last year was a good year, but I feel like this year for the D-line is going to be better because everybody’s getting a chance, everybody gets a shot.
“Just because you’re a freshman doesn’t mean you won’t play that much. Everybody has a role.”
Pickens certainly seems more comfortable in his.
