South Carolina football will have new faces in all positions in the defense of 21.
South Carolina saw a massive exodus on the defensive side of the ball, with a total of nine players who declared for the NFL Draft or entered the transfer portal. Safety RJ Roderick chose to leave the 2020 season after Will Muschamp’s resignation, and although he has not yet made a statement about his future, it seems unlikely that he will be with the Gamecocks next season. Roderick’s presumed departure reaches that total for 10.
Of the players who left the program, eight had experience as a starter, including all six defenders who decided to leave Columbia. Although the secondary has certainly suffered more wear and tear, Gamecocks have been hit at all levels of defense.
In the last few days, South Carolina saw the tips Joseph Anderson and Keir Thomas enter the transfer portal, while tackle Makius Scott moved to Georgia Tech. Initial linebacker Ernest Jones also completed his career as a Gamecock, choosing to enter the 2021 NFL Draft this spring.
In total, the group had 868 tackles, 16 interceptions, 14.5 sacks and 12 forced fumbles.
So, who will run the defensive unit in 2021, and how will new coach Shane Beamer build depth in an exhausted squad?
Let’s start with some players who are still on the team to see where they can fit into next year’s roster (all names are subject to change, this roster is based on today’s roster members).
DL – Jordan Burch, Devontae Davis, Jabari Ellis, JJ Enagbare, Tonka Hemingway, Alex Huntley, Zacch Pickens, Rick Sandidge, Aaron Sterling, MJ Webb
This is probably the deepest and most talented position in defense, with 10 players ranging from sophomores to fifth graders. If we had to start now, the top four of JJ Enagbare, Zacch Pickens, Jabari Ellis and Aaron Sterling would be considered.
Enagbare almost led the SEC this season, despite losing three games to injury. Ellis and Pickens have been the pillars of the countryside for the past two seasons, while Aaron Sterling could return from a season that ended with an injury and enjoy a six-sack season in 2019.
Behind these four would be a trio of talented youngsters in Burch, Hemingway and Huntley, as well as facing Rick Sandidge and JUCO transferred by Devontae Davis, who lost last year to an injury.
South Carolina will seek to delve into the next recruiting class, where they hired Nicholas Barrett, who is now on campus. They also maintain the commitment of local striker TJ Sanders, who is due to sign in February.
LB – Jahmar Brown, Gilber Edmond, Rodricus Fitten, Sherrod Greene, Brad Johnson, Mohamed Kaba, Rosendo Louis, Damani Staley
The Gamecocks lost only one player in this position group, but it was a big problem, since the team’s main defender in the past two seasons is now out of the NFL. Still, there is potential on the list.
Mohamed Kaba looks set to take over, with Rosendo Louis likely playing a back-up role in the internal linebacker. Kaba recorded 13 tackles in his debut season and gained a boost in playing time in the team’s last three games.
On the outside, it appears to be a battle between Brad Johnson, Jahmar Brown, Sherrod Greene and Damani Staley for the final two waves. Staley started most of the year while the Gamecocks struggled with injuries. He finished third on the team in tackles.
Brown and Greene participated in a game each due to injury, but both have experience as a starter. Johnson, Edmond and Fitten can slip into an external linebacker role after playing in the BUCK position for the past few seasons.
DB – Jaylin Dickerson, O’Donnell Fortune, Jaylan Foster, Dominick Hill, Joey Hunter, Cam Smith, ZaQuandre White
All top four in the secondary are gone, as Israel Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn declared for the draft, and Jammie Robinson and Shilo Sanders entered the transfer portal. John Dixon, who came to replace Mukuamu throughout the year, was transferred to Penn State. And we mentioned the status of RJ Roderick earlier.
Without their first six defensive backs, Gamecocks will need to find bodies to build depth.
Jaylin Dickerson is a player who has entered and left the roster over the course of his first four seasons. He suffered injuries during the 2017 and 2019 season. Last season, he recorded 20 tackles and a limited choice in action. It will likely be a safety option in 2021. The other safety point could be Jaylan Foster, who finished fourth on the team in tackles after appearing in eight games.
Cam Smith won a few games after Horn and Mukuamu’s mid-season departures, intercepting two passes from their cornerback position.
Thereafter, not much is proven. Young Joey Hunter, Dom Hill and O’Donnell Fortune will fight for the final spot. ZaQuandre White also saw time in the defensive backfield. It is not known whether he will play full time in defense, but it is important to note that he played as a linebacker in the state of Florida before transferring to Carolina.
Shane Beamer got the promise of two JUCO transfers to increase the depth. Isaiah Norris and Marcellas Dial will be part of the secondary rotation in 2021.
Obviously, there is a way to go before we get to the beginning of next season, and there will certainly be more additions and losses as Gamecocks navigate a change of coach. Things can start to cool down a little once the team chooses a coordinator.
Either way, Gamecock fans will need to familiarize themselves with the new faces of South Carolina’s defense in 2021.