Who will be South Carolina’s starters on defense? Let’s project the depth chart
South Carolina’s season opener against Eastern Illinois, slated for Sept. 4 at Williams-Brice Stadium, is nearing. And while fall camp is still a few weeks out, the Gamecocks’ depth chart is starting to take shape.
Preseason practices will begin in early August, but here’s a look at where we project things heading into SEC Media Days that start Monday in Hoover, Alabama:
EDGE
Starters: Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare, Jordan Burch
Backups: Aaron Sterling, Tonka Hemingway, Jordan Strachan
Another year, another South Carolina defensive lineman rated at the top of NFL draft boards. This year, that honor belongs to Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare. The Athletic’s Dan Brugler slotted Enagbare as a potential first round pick in his initial mock draft this offseason after the redshirt senior led the team with six sacks and three forced fumbles a season ago.
Alongside Enagbare, former five-star recruit Jordan Burch ought to get a chance at living up to his immense recruiting hype. Burch recorded 19 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in eight games as a freshman.
Behind the starters, Aaron Sterling, Tonka Hemingway and Jordan Strachan should all see ample playing time. Strachan tied for the FBS lead in sacks with 10.5 at Georgia State last year. If he can replicate those numbers, he’ll find his way into the starting lineup.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Zacch Pickens, Jabari Ellis
Backups: Rick Sandidge, Keem Green
Like the defensive ends, the Gamecocks ought to be loaded on the interior of its defensive front in 2021. Zacch Pickens arrived at USC as one of the more hyped prospects to land in Columbia in recent years. After leading South Carolina’s defensive linemen in tackles last season, he’ll be counted on again this fall.
Jabari Ellis should make up the other side of what will be a towering interior defensive line. Ellis has steadily improved since coming to South Carolina from Georgia Military College and could be in line for another nice jump this year.
Rick Sandidge and Nebraska transfer Keem Green will round out the group. Sandidge hasn’t quite lived up to his blue-chip pedigree, but he’ll be afforded enough chances in the middle of a group that’s teaming with talent.
MIKE/middle linebacker
Starter: Debo Williams
Backup: Sherrod Greene
Middle linebacker figures to be one of the more intriguing battles heading into fall camp. Sherrod Greene has 25 starts and 36 appearances to his name despite playing just one game last season due to a fractured hip he suffered in the preseason.
Despite Greene’s experience, I’m rolling with an upset pick here in Delaware transfer Debo Williams. Williams has received plenty of hype since he arrived on campus, and he figures to make a real play to start from Day 1. The former Blue Hen linebacker didn’t play last year as Delaware’s season was pushed to the spring, but he’s talented enough to snag this starting spot.
WILL/ weakside linebacker
Starter: Mo Kaba
Backup: Damani Staley
Another upset-ish pick at weakside linebacker. After injuries thrust Mo Kaba into a major role in 2020, look for him to parlay that chance into a starting role again this fall. Kaba was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and he showed flashes why last year as he was named SEC All-Freshman team by the league’s coaches.
While I’m picking Kaba to start, Damani Staley could also end up getting the nod. Staley has played a lot of football in his time at South Carolina (38 appearances, eight starts). He was a steadying presence last fall with 51 tackles — the third-best mark on the team.
Kaba is the higher-upside choice at middle linebacker, but both he and Staley will get their share of time this year.
Cornerback
Starters: Cam Smith, Karon Prunty
Backups: Carlins Platel, David Spaulding
South Carolina’s secondary has as many new faces of any position group on the roster. Of our projected starters, only Cam Smith was with the program last season. Smith is a ball-hawk on the outside and recorded two interceptions last year on account of it. If he can be more consistent in coverage, he’s got a chance to be a real playmaker for this defense.
Karon Prunty is perhaps the biggest offseason coup for Shane Beamer and his staff. Prunty was a legitimate star in the Big 12 despite playing on a Kansas defense that gave up 459.2 yards per game last year. The former two-star recruit picked South Carolina over Tennessee and may well be the most talented defensive back on the team.
David Spaulding played in eight games at Georgia Southern last season and brings some needed game experience to a defense that’s certainly lacking it. Platel joins USC from the Division II ranks and is my pick as the biggest sleeper on the roster. He chose South Carolina over Mississippi State, among others, this offseason.
Safety
Starters: R.J. Roderick, Jaylin Dickerson
Backups: Tyrese Ross, Jaylan Foster, Dominick Hill
R.J. Roderick, like Cam Smith, has had his moments in coverage, but the big-hitting safety’s return gives South Carolina some needed experience on the back end. Roderick will be the most experienced safety in USC’s defensive backfield this fall and it’ll be on him to anchor a group that desperately needs some stability.
Jaylin Dickerson has battled injuries during his time at South Carolina, but has been around long enough to warrant a look at the starting role.
If Dickerson isn’t up to snuff, Tyrese Ross should find himself in the lineup. Ross transferred to South Carolina from Washington State this summer and is the son of a former NFL fullback. He’s talented enough to bring some serious pop at the back end of this defense.
Nickelback
Starter: Marcellas Dial
Backups: David Spaulding, Joey Hunter
Given new defensive coordinator Clayton White’s 4-2-5 system, the nickelback and SAM linebacker slots will vary some depending on how he wants to use them.
Dial profiles more like a defensive back at 6-foot and 190 pounds and would give South Carolina some added help in coverage if White leans that way. The Gamecocks could also employ Spaulding here if he gets buried at corner.
SAM/strongside linebacker
Starter: Brad Johnson
Backups: Jahmar Brown, Rosendo Louis Jr.
Brad Johnson saw most of his time as an edge rusher a season ago, but he’s since seen switched positions to linebacker. Given his skills as a rusher, he could make an interesting blitzing piece.
Jahmar Brown and Rosendo Louis Jr. are essentially inverses of one another. Brown has seen time at safety and dime linebacker, while Louis is a more physical presence who could conceivably bulk up enough to be an edge rusher.
If Johnson isn’t the pick or he needs a spell, both Brown and Louis would give White some versatility.
This story was originally published July 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Who will be South Carolina’s starters on defense? Let’s project the depth chart."
