How we think defensive depth chart will look for Beamer’s first USC spring practices
On March 20, South Carolina football will kick off what should be one of the most hotly anticipated spring practice seasons in recent memory. The Gamecocks have a new head coach in Shane Beamer and are coming off back-to-back eight-loss seasons, and fans are eager to see how Beamer’s return to USC starts.
Under new defensive coordinator Clayton White, the Gamecocks are set to use a 4-2-5 defensive scheme this spring, something they used to run under Steve Spurrier and his DC, Ellis Johnson. During his introductory news conference, White said he would adapt the scheme to the talent on hand, pledging that the unit would be “multiple.”
In at least one respect, though, we’ve already seen a change. When USC released its spring roster, gone was the “BUCK” designation previous coach Will Muschamp used to describe a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher role. In its place, White uses the name “EDGE” to describe ends and pass rushers. And it’s at that position that we begin our projection of the depth chart.
EDGE
Starters: Kingsley Enagbare, Aaron Sterling
The incumbent Buck and defensive end get the nod to start the spring here — Enagbare and Sterling have 69 games of combined experience between them and were the Gamecocks’ sack leaders in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Enagbare especially came into his own last fall, picking up All-SEC honors and finishing fifth in the league in sacks. This entire position group, however, is stacked with talent.
Backups: Jordan Strachan, Jordan Burch
Strachan transfers in from Georgia State, where he tied for the lead in all of college football last season with 10.5 sacks. Listed at 220 pounds, he’s a touch undersized and may need to put on some weight, but that also means he’s more than capable of playing standing up and even playing a little coverage as needed. Burch, meanwhile, remains an ultra-talented young player who flashed enormous potential as a freshman. The former five-star prospect will continue to develop and is likely a foundational piece for Clayton White moving forward.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Starters: Jabari Ellis, Zacch Pickens
Once again, we’re going with veterans: The Gamecock D-line returns a lot of experience and will likely be the strength of the entire unit. Ellis is the only defensive tackle listed under 300 pounds, but he brings versatility and experience. Pickens, meanwhile, steps up in place of the departed Keir Thomas, now at Florida State. A former five-star prospect, Pickens actually led the Gamecocks’ defensive linemen in tackles last season.
Backups: Rick Sandidge, Jahkeem Green
Sandidge enters his senior year still seeking consistency to go with the enormous talent that’s been apparent since his days as a blue-chip recruit. His path to a starting spot seems narrow, but he could position himself well for a big 2021 if he performs well this spring. Green, meanwhile, is returning to his home state after two years after Nebraska, and he possesses the size and physical gifts to make an immediate impact.
MIKE/MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Starter: Sherrod Greene
Ernest Jones is gone for the NFL, leaving a big hole to fill at the center of USC’s defense. Greene feels like the logical person to fill it — he fractured his hip during the preseason last year and only played one game in 2020, but he has more than two dozen career starts to his name and a lot of statistical production.
Backup: Debo Williams
The Delaware transfer hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but he’s already earned plaudits from the coaching staff and plenty of attention on social media throughout the Gamecocks’ winter program. Perhaps all of that fails to translate into snaps on the field, but when there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
WILL/WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
Starter: Damani Staley
A veteran who has been around the program for more than four years now, Staley had his most productive year yet in 2020, recording 51 tackles. He’s not the flashiest player, but he brings a steadiness that White can rely on.
Backup: Mo Kaba
An ACL injury limited his development last spring and into the fall, but Kaba was the highest-rated linebacker recruit currently on USC’s roster, and he was forced to step up last season when the unit’s depth was ravaged by injuries. That’s a tough spot to be in, but it gave him experience that could pay dividends moving forward.
CORNERBACK
Starters: Cam Smith, David Spaulding
USC’s secondary has been hammered by departures this offseason, whether it be transfers or the NFL Draft. In particular, the cornerback position loses All-SEC performers in Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu, plus a valuable contributor in John Dixon. That leaves Smith as the most experienced returner — he struggled at times in 2020 but did record two interceptions and has obvious talent as a former four-star recruit. Alongside him, Georgia Southern transfer David Spaulding has decent length at 6-foot-1 and reportedly impressed the coaching staff in offseason workouts.
Backups: Joey Hunter
With JUCO transfer Isaiah Norris, FCS transfer Carlins Platel and high school signee La’Dareyen Craig all not arriving on campus until after spring ball, there will be a lot of opportunities for others to step up. Chief among them is Hunter, a former three-star prospect who appeared in four games last season.
SAFETY
Starters: R.J. Roderick, Jaylin Dickerson
Roderick’s return after opting out late last season ensures the Gamecocks’ return at least a little starting experience on the back of the defense. He was burned at times in 2020, but he still has a reputation as a big hitter capable of making plays, and his experience makes him all but indispensable. Dickerson is another player who’s been around awhile, though injuries have limited what he’s been able to do. Should he stay healthy, he’s virtually certain to get a lot of snaps at a position where USC seems frightfully thin at the moment.
Backups: Jaylan Foster, Dominick Hill
There’s just not a lot of depth in the defensive back room, especially at safety, and Foster is one of the few players on the roster with experience. Almost by default, that makes him a key figure. Behind him, Dominick Hill moved from cornerback to safety this past fall and appeared in five games.
NICKELBACK
Starter: Marcellas Dial
The next two positions listed could vary in importance based on how White decides to order his 4-2-5 scheme — is the fifth defensive back more of a nickelback or safety/linebacker hybrid?
Should he decide to go with the nickelback look, Dial feels like a good candidate to step up. The junior college transfer broke up five passes and intercepted one as a freshman at Georgia Military College, and he’s confident in his own ability to compete for a spot right away.
Backup: Joey Hunter
SAM/STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER
Starter: Jahmar Brown
Under former USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, the hybrid linebacker/safety spot in the 4-2-5 scheme was called Spur. White hasn’t indicated if he’ll revive the moniker or even use a similar position, but if he does, linebacker Jahmar Brown feels like a natural fit. He’s spent time at safety and dime linebacker and is back to being listed as a linebacker on the spring roster.
Backup: Brad Johnson
Johnson is more of a defensive end/linebacker hybrid, playing some Buck last season in the old regime’s system. Now he’s listed as a linebacker, and should White want to tinker with a bigger lineup geared toward stopping the run, the veteran Johnson seems like a good fit.
