South Carolina has many doubts about the defense path in preparation for the 2021 season, but Gamecocks fans should feel good, as at least one position on that side of the ball seems to be relatively good.
If you don’t have a good defensive line and compete in the Southeast Conference, you are almost dead on arrival. Gamecocks have the pieces to be a good unit in 2021, when you sketch them.
Second-team All-SEC selection Kingsley Enagbare Returns. Enagbare led the SEC with three forced fumbles and was second in the league with six sacks in 2020. He did this in just eight games. The Atlanta product was one of the individual strengths of a poor Carolina defense in 2020. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound cannon excels in hurried and disturbing passes. He can improve against the race.
It is probably not an outreach project Jordan Burch to anchor the other end of the line to the new coordinator Clayton Whitethe 4-2-5 alignment. The 1.8m and 70kg college All-American shone at times when he played in 2020. This season, expectations are much higher. Contacts indicate that he is more dedicated than ever to meeting these expectations.
Enagbare and Burch are not the only approved brokers on the list for 2021, however. Aaron Sterling was injured for a good part of 2020. But in 2019, the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder was one of the most productive pass rushers on the team. He led Carolina with 10 loss tackles and had six sacks. Georgia State Transfer Jordan Strachan drew the country’s lead in bags last season with 10.5.
In addition to these four, there is still more promise. Tonka Hemingway he shone a lot when he played like a real freshman in 2020. The 1.90 m tall, 270-pound athlete is athletic and also strong enough to set the limit. Gilber Edmond, who played with a linebacker out of necessity in the final stretch of last season, is a six-foot-eight-foot-tall, 230-pound player with a natural ability to rush. It is not out of the question that Edmond will end up becoming a player of over 260 pounds in the future.
Rodricus Fitten and Tyreek Johnson also return as EDGE players.
There are more questions inside, but there are potential answers. Zacch Pickens took a leap from 2019 to 2020 and had a solid campaign for the second year. It was difficult to say with the defense being played around him, but the former five-star player was consistent and very good at times. The other indoor location will be a battle. Can 6 feet-5, 310 pounds Rick Sandidge will you be a more consistent artist this season? MJ Webb played one of his best football games as a reserve last year. Jabari Ellis returns after starting a good part of the 2020 season. There is also a transfer from Nebraska and Sumter natives Jahkeem Green who could take into consideration.
Alex Huntley is a promising young player as a real freshman Nick Barrett. Both have the ability to break the rotation.
Devontae Davis is still on the list. The defensive side of the 1.8 m high former junior high school weighs up to 305 pounds. He struggled with injuries and problems off the field during his time in Carolina. Is this the year he produces?
Gamecocks will receive freshmen TJ Sanders for the fold this summer. The 1.8 m tall, 275 pound Marion product has many advantages.
So this is not a desperate situation on the defensive line in South Carolina. Mike Peterson (defensive purposes) and Jimmy Lindsey (defensive tackles) have a lot to work with. The questions that need to be answered this spring and during the preseason are exactly who is the best and where everyone fits. Having a chance to be good on the defensive line does not guarantee success on that side of the ball for Gamecocks in 2021, but it is a good starting point for improvements year after year.