When South Carolinagets the upcoming season underway against Old Dominion on Aug. 31, its defense will take the field with a number of returning players who will lead Clayton White's squad in 2024.
The Gameco*cks have a few pieces off last year's defense to replace which includes cornerback Marcellas Dial who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
The secondary returns multiple years of experience with Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith, O'Donnell Fortune and Jalon Kilgore having taken the field together for most of last season. At linebacker, the Gameco*cks leading tackler from 2023 returns in Debo Williams while up front, a trio of interior defensive linemen make their way back for another season. Sterling Lucas' EDGE room has a few intriguing players who can make an impact in 2024.
In this article, we will rank the position groups as spring practice has come and gone and the Gameco*cks have entered the summer before the 2024 season.
1. DEFENSIVE TACKLE
In 2024, South Carolina will return a talented defensive tackle room in Travian Robertson's second season leading the group.
As far as returners, Tonka Hemingway, T.J. Sanders, Alex Huntley and Nick Barrett make their way back for another season in the garnet and black. Hemingway, who tallied 32 tackles last season, was listed on Friday by Pro Football Focus as an interior defensive lineman to know for the 2025 NFL Draft. Both Hemingway and Sanders were ranked as the No. 2 and the No. 5 defensive tackles, respectively, in the SEC for 2024 by College Football Network. Sanders recorded 43 total tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Huntley logged 33 stops with four tackles for loss.
The Gameco*cks will have a few new faces in the room when the 2024 season gets underway including two transfer additions in DeAndre Jules and Monkell Goodwine. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Jules turned in a strong season in 2023 at Pittsburgh as he totaled 24 tackles with 7.5 for loss and two sacks.
On the interior of the defensive line, South Carolina has talent at the top of the rotation and should have some quality depth to roll into the rotation throughout the game which is what teams need in the trenches in the SEC.
2. SECONDARY
We will combine the entire secondary into one category and rank them at No. 2. The Gameco*cks have four experienced players returning in the secondary including Emmanwori, Smith, Kilgoreand Fortune.
Emmanwori and Smith are entering their third season with the Gameco*cks which includes a combined 49 starts in Clayton White's defense. The two have also combined for 283 total tackles in their two seasons in Columbia.
Fortune will replace Dialat the top of the depth chart at cornerback. Fortune logged 39 tackles and broke up eight passes and intercepted two in 2023 which was his fourth season at South Carolina. As for Kilgore, he started all but one game as a true freshman and earned Freshman All-American honors as he tallied 76 tackles which was second on the team.
The Gameco*cks have a position battle going on at the other corner spot which will continue into preseason practice as Judge Collier, Emory Floyd, Vicari Swain and David Spaulding look to earn the starting nod opposite of Fortune.
Just like with the defensive tackle room, South Carolina has a strong group of players at the top of the depth chart at each position and look to have some players ready to take the next step behind them.
3. LINEBACKERS
At No. 3 in the position rankings on the Gameco*cks' defense, we will go with the linebackers. However, there is an argument to be made that this group could take the No. 2 spot. The team's leading tackler last season in Debo Williams makes his way back to Columbiaafter logging 113 tackles which included nine tackles for loss. His 67 solo stops led the SEC in 2023 and helped him earn a first team All-SEC selection.
In addition to Williams returning, Bam Martin-Scott also makes his way back to Columbia after recording 38 tackles with four being for loss in 2023. Martin-Scott saw his playing time and production increase as the season went on and the defense played more of the 3-3-5. Jaron Willis is also back for his second season in the garnet and black.
One of the more intriguing players South Carolina added from the transfer portal was linebacker Demetrius Knight. Knight turned in a strong 2023 season with the 49ers as he tallied 96 stops with 5.5 being for loss including 1.5 sacks while also intercepting three passes. For his performance, Knight was a first team All-American Athletic Conference selection.
Having two All-Conference linebackers taking the field in 2024 as well as a few returners who flashed in 2023 has the room in a good spot for the upcoming season.
4. EDGE
At No. 4, we will round out the list with the EDGE group. However, Sterling Lucas' room has potential to make some noise in 2024.
South Carolina had to replace Jordan Strachan and Tyreek Johnson who used their final year of eligibility last season and did so with the additions of a handful of players from the transfer portal and high school ranks as well as those returning.
In the transfer portal, the Gameco*cks added Kyle Kennard and Gilber Edmond. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Kennard makes his way to Columbia after spending the past four seasons in Atlanta where he totaled 115 tackles with 21.5 for loss and 12.5 sacks. Kennard logged 11 tackles for loss this past season. Edmond makes his way back to Columbia after one season at Florida State. In 2022 with the Gameco*cks, Edmond tallied 39 tackles with nine being for loss.
The five-star prospect in Dylan Stewart looks to be ready to take the field in game one as he physically looks the part while he showcased his talent during the spring game.
Bryan Thomas Jr., Jatius Geer and Desmond Umeozulu will suit up for another season in 2024 after playing meaningful snaps in 2023. Geer battled a foot injury last season but has shown he is capable of being disruptive off the edge. Thomas continues to improve heading into his third season with the Gameco*cks and Umeozulu looks to take the next step in his sophom*ore season.
