Projecting South Carolina’s defensive depth chart heading into the summer
South Carolina’s spring season wrapped last weekend with the annual Garnet and Black spring game.
As the dust starts to settle and with Shane Beamer’s second offseason as head coach in Columbia on deck, here’s a look at where we think the defensive depth chart stands heading into the summer:
Defensive end/Edge
Starters: Jordan Strachan, Jordan Burch
Backups: Terrell Dawkins, Gilber Edmond
No changes here. Defensive end is still going to be what I’m calling, “Jordan Squared,” with Jordan Burch and Jordan Strachan at either spot.
Burch was disruptive during the spring game and caused problems for South Carolina’s offensive line. That’s a positive development if you’re Beamer and Company, considering the former five-star hasn’t quite put everything together since he landed in Columbia.
The former Hammond School star was buried behind a handful of uber-talented players his first two years on campus. This year, Burch should be a focal point of the Gamecocks’ pass rush.
Strachan falls in a similar category after being in a more rotational role in 2021. The former Georgia State standout tested the NFL Draft waters before deciding to return for another season at South Carolina. He’s said he has unfinished business and USC will hope that translates to the form that saw him tie for the national lead in sacks in 2020 at GSU.
Behind Burch and Strachan, N.C. State transfer Terrell Dawkins continues to get rave reviews in his transition to South Carolina. He found himself in the backfield a handful of times in the spring game and should also be an important piece at defensive end this year.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Zacch Pickens, Alex “Boogie” Huntley
Backups: Rick Sandidge, Tonka Hemingway
Zacch Pickens, like Burch, came to South Carolina as a five-star player with ample hype. He’s played more of a central role in his time in Columbia and he’ll again be counted on this year.
The biggest change here is shifting Alex Huntley into a starting slot, instead of Rick Sandidge. Huntley has been a force throughout the spring and was a problem in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. He’s as big a breakout candidate as there is on this defense.
Sandidge should still see plenty of time this year as he continues rehabbing from last year’s season-ending ankle injury. He didn’t participate in the spring game and was limited for most of South Carolina’s 15 practices over the last month-plus. I’m giving the nod to Huntley over durability concerns with Sandidge.
Mike/Middle linebacker
Starter: Sherrod Greene
Backup: Debo Williams
Sherrod Greene’s injury caused a ripple effect in the middle of the South Carolina defense last year. After months of rehab, he’s back.
Greene looked closer to form during the spring game and he’ll be an invaluable piece for this group at linebacker, should he stay healthy.
Debo Williams continues to be an intriguing player this year and down the line. The Delaware transfer didn’t play a season during his freshman year after COVID-19 washed out the Blue Hens’ campaign.
Now in his second year at South Carolina, Williams should again be a special teams standout and provide critical depth behind Greene at linebacker.
Will/Weakside linebacker
Starter: Brad Johnson
Backup: Mo Kaba
Brad Johnson should still be the starter here, but Mo Kaba is going to make a serious push for playing time.
Kaba came to USC as a four-star prospect in Will Muschamp’s 2020 class. He’s slowly worked his way up the depth chart after being thrust into action during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. That experience built a foundation for him and it’s a good bet he’ll get plenty of time this fall.
That’s not to discount Johnson, either. The converted defensive lineman was a solid filler piece in the middle of the defense last year and is one of the more experienced players on the roster. Now heading into his second full season at linebacker, he’ll be counted on again.
South Carolina is thin at linebacker. Kaba’s emergence coupled with Johnson’s transition only stands to help the group.
Cornerback
Starters: Cam Smith, Darius Rush
Backups: O’Donnell Fortune, Marcellas Dial, Isaiah Norris
South Carolina may be as deep in the secondary as it has been in a couple seasons.
Cam Smith is a legitimate All-SEC candidate and has the kind of versatility that will see him move all over the field this year (more on that in a second). Rush, too, had his moments in 2021 and returns to help anchor the group.
O’Donnell Fortune and Marcellas Dial weren’t asked to do too much last year, but both give the Gamecocks depth. Dial also saw time at nickel and figures to be in the mix there again depending how defensive coordinator Clayton White wants to line up.
Safety
Starters: R.J. Roderick, Devonni Reed
Backups: Tyrese Ross
South Carolina may lose Jaylan Foster, but Devonni Reed is about as productive a replacement as the Gamecocks could’ve hoped for.
Reed recorded more than 200 tackles during his time at Central Michigan and has drawn plenty of praise since he arrived on campus. He’s a sure tackler and should help in the run game as well as in coverage.
R.J. Roderick is another one of those players that could’ve left, but decided to come back for one more run. He’ll be a starter again this year and gives the Gamecocks plenty of experience on the back end.
Tyrese Ross never really got into the mix last season after leaving Washington State. He should be more involved in his second year in the program and, at the least, be a solid depth piece behind Reed and Roderick.
Nickel
Starter: David Spaulding/Cam Smith
Backups: Marcellas Dial
Here’s where things get tricky as far as projections.
David Spaulding missed most of the spring with an injury, leading to Smith playing more nickel over the last month or so. Beamer praised Smith’s play in the slot and sure sounds like he’d like to use him in that spot.
That’s not to say Spaulding was a slouch last season — far from it, really. He notched 22 tackles, three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble during his first season at USC after transferring from Georgia Southern. He’ll be an important piece again assuming he gets back to full health.
Dial, too, could add some depth as needed at nickel. He figures to get more time at cornerback if Smith plays more out of the slot, but don’t be surprised to see him on the field a good bit this year.
