Botkin: Look for linebackers, defense to focus more on matchups

South Carolina linebackers coach Kirk Botkin has experienced two ends of the spectrum as far as having kids with playing experience entering his fourth season with the Gamecocks.

In his first season, he had six seniors on the depth chart. He had the luxury of seasoned veterans playing in the rigors of the SEC.

The following season, a host of newcomers were forced into action when maybe they weren’t ready. Last season was more of the same. But with four juniors among the top eight players, he’s expecting big things this season.

“Most of these guys are true juniors with a bunch of experience under their belts,” Botkin said. “They went from an 11-win season to a seven-win season, and they didn’t like it too much. They’ve grown up. We expect a lot out of these guys, and we’re excited to get it started.”

Juniors Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton solidified the group a season ago. Moore was the leading tackler (93) for the second season while Moore started six games and finished third on the team with 61. They are penciled in to earn two of the three starting spots in the new-look 4-3 defense new defensive coordinator Jon Hoke likes to employ.

“I think both are tough hard-nosed kids. They want to be great players and bring a physical mentality that is needed to play linebacker. They want to win and make every tackle. I think the thing that shocks me the most is they both have two more years. We’re expecting big things from both of those guys.”

The starting opportunities will come with challenges. T.J. Holloman started four games last season and he will challenge Moore for the starting nod at the MIKE spot. Sophomore Bryson Allen-Williams is also getting a serious look at the WILL position where Walton is expected to start.

Having that type of competition is a plus, according to Botkin.

“T.J. Holloman had an excellent spring and is a vocal leader,” he said. “He’s pushing for Skai Moore’s spot. Bryson Allen-Williams is another guy that is ready. He’s pushing for the WILL linebacker spot. I’m excited about the competition. I like having guys pushing each other, and we have competition at all the positions. That only makes us better.”

One defender who is still waiting to make a splash is junior Larenz Bryant. He was going to get a long look at the SAM linebacker spot in the spring but suffered a freak liver laceration that sidelined him for most of the time. He has fully recovered and is expected to start, while junior college transfer Ernest Hawkins is battling for extended snaps as well.

“Larenz had a very good summer,” Botkin said. “He did an excellent job in conditioning and getting back into shape after that weird liver deal. He’s 100 percent and ready to go.”

Freshmen Daniel Fennell, Jalen Henry and Sherrod Pittman could be used on special teams and in spot duty on defense while they learn the system and get bigger and stronger. Henry and Pittman enrolled early and were available in the spring, but Pittman had to sit out with a broken leg. He’s back to nearly 90 percent, so Botkin hopes he continues to rehabilitate.

“We have some other young guys who have a chance to contribute and be on special teams and play this year,” Botkin said. “That’s a talented group of youngsters as well.”

The defense has changed its base package from a 4-2-5 look to a more traditional 4-3 base. Hoke is a veteran of the NFL and believes the defensive change will be beneficial for South Carolina. A season ago, the Gamecocks allowed on average more than 30 points a game and 432 yards, which ranked 92nd in the NCAA.

Still, South Carolina has not thrown out the 4-2-5 look.

“We’ll base out of the 4-3, but we’ll still use the 4-2-5 package,” Botkin said. “We’ll be a little more matchup conscious. In the NFL, they try to match up personnel, so we’ll do that by switching between our base package and the spur package.”

Botkin has high hopes for the defense this season.

“Coach Hoke stresses fundamentals, all the stuff we already believed in. He wants to see a lot of effort and playing with fundamentals,” Botkin said. “We need to do the little things – alignment, assignment, play your technique and your keys. It’s the little things, and I’m a firm believer in that. We do those things as a unit, the defensive line does their part and the secondary plays well, we should be much improved. It all works together.”

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 10:23 PM with the headline "Botkin: Look for linebackers, defense to focus more on matchups."