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The South Carolina defense was much-maligned in 2014, to say the least. The unit underperformed, allowing opponents to score at least 34 points on seven occasions. To rectify this, head coach Steve Spurrier brought in Jon Hoke to join Lorenzo Ward as the team’s co-defensive coordinator.
The Gamecocks will switch to a 4-3 base, stepping back from its 4-2-5 formation from last season. The squad will still operate out of the 4-2-5 — including its SPUR position — when the matchup calls for it.
Among those affected most by the new change are the Gamecocks linebackers. The unit is now loaded with experience and veterans, thanks to four returning juniors. Most of those juniors were freshman the last time South Carolina had an 11-win season. After slipping to seven wins last year, the group wants to prove that 2014 was an aberration.
Here’s a look at how the 2015 Gamecocks linebackers stack up to last year’s unit:
MIKE
2014: Skai Moore was a leader of the South Carolina defense, not just its linebacking corps, pacing the Gamecocks with 93 tackles, 13 more than the next closest teammate T.J. Gurley. The SEC’s 10th-leading tackler did a little bit of everything in 2014 — 3 interceptions, sack, on-side kick recovery — including winning Defensive MVP of the Independence Bowl.
2015: Despite the accolades, Moore’s starting spot isn’t a guarantee. T.J. Holloman is pushing his fellow junior teammate in fall camp for first team reps. Holloman earned the squad’s Every Day Effort and Big Plays honors during the spring. His 33 tackles (1.0 sack) were ninth-overall on the team last year. Moore will get the nod at starting middle linebacker, but there won’t be much of a drop-off when Holloman spells him.
WILL
2014: Jonathan Walton made 38 of his 61 tackles (third-highest on the team) in the final five games of last year as he solidified himself as the starting weakside linebacker. Like Moore, he stepped up big in the Independence Bowl, registering 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception against Miami. The junior has played in every game of his career, including six starts toward the end of last season.
2015: Also like his fellow middle linebacker Moore, Walton’s starting WILL spot isn’t a lock during fall camp. Bryson Allen-Williams is the reason. The sophomore is slimmed down and pushing Walton at the WILL with an excellent camp. Allen-Williams played out of position last season at defensive end. Back at his natural linebacker role this summer, he’s also been getting looks at the SAM position.
Walton will almost certainly be the starter, but having the versatile and young Allen-Williams gives Jon Hoke multiple options and depth.
SPUR/SAM
2014: The SPUR position saw a rotating door of players in 2014, including Skai Moore, T. J. Holloman and Marcquis Roberts. Roberts, a junior, started six games at the position tallying 31 tackles, but two medical redshirts hampered his playing time. Prior to the season, he transferred to Kansas.
2015: Jordan Diggs began camp in the DB/LB-hybrid SPUR position, but has since begun taking first-team reps at safety. Larenz Bryant appeared in 12 games last year at the SPUR position in the Gamecocks 4-2-5 scheme and is the favorite to earn the starting SPUR/SAM job this summer. The junior has recovered from a liver laceration that cost him time during the spring. He’s being pushed at the strongside spot in fall camp by sophomore Ernest Hawkins.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
