Darius English looking like ‘an All-American’

Twice in preseason camp, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has lauded the play of a defensive end.

And, no, he wasn’t talking about newcomer Marquavius Lewis, the junior college transfer that has been penciled in as a starter since he arrived in January.

Spurrier was praising junior Darius English, a spot starter the past two seasons.

“Darius English looks like an All-American,” Spurrier said after Wednesday’s practice. “He pushes Brandon Shell right back into the quarterback. He pushes (Christian) Pellage right back into the quarterback.”

English opened preseason camp third on the depth chart, behind Lewis and senior Cedrick Cooper. Defensive line coach Deke Adams said that was just something on paper and the rotation is far from being settled.

“Everybody is in the mix,” Adams said. “We don't have a set group in stone yet. That will be revealed on Sept. 3. It's a work in progress every day. Your job is on the line every day. You have to come out and produce and believe in the system.”

English has shown flashes of excellence. He has appeared in 25 games the past two seasons with seven starts. His most extensive experience came last year when he started the first six games. His best outing came against Georgia when he recorded five tackles and his first solo sack.

He has logged 46 tackles in his career with five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Sort of pedestrian numbers for someone who came to USC after being selected Georgia's Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and being named a Parade All-American.

“There is always room for improvement and I don't think I'm anywhere close to my ceiling,” English said. “I have to focus on every drill and get better every day. My personal goal is to contribute in the most effective way that I can. I want to be be productive every play and not waste any plays or take any plays off.”

English is aware the eyes of South Carolina fans will be on the defensive front this season. The Gamecocks finished with 14 sacks a season ago and that number has to increase if South Carolina is going to improve on last year's 7-6 record.

“We're using it as constructive criticism,” English said. “We know we didn't perform as well as we could have but we have to make sure we rectify that this year.”

The influx of seven new players on the defensive front has helped.

“The more guys you bring in, the better the competition,” English said. “Everybody wants to contribute and we feed off of that.”

English has dropped weight from last year with the hopes of being more productive. He played at 245 in 2014 but is comfortable in the 235-237 range this year. That has brought added quickness and a step he thinks he might have lost last season.

Now he wants that to translate into production on the field. He thinks he's been unfairly pegged as only a speed rush guy, and but believes he plays the run and pass equally well.

“I'm pretty balanced. I can play one just as well as I can play the other,” English said. “If there's one thing I need to work on it would be pad level. I need to stay low and get my hips lined up properly. Everything is coming together.”

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 9:46 PM with the headline "Darius English looking like ‘an All-American’."