Let’s continue to look at the South Carolina football team and for this blog post it is looking at the USC defensive line.
Before we look at the players that make up the defensive line, do recall that the Gamecocks were stingy against the run and got after the passer last season. USC led the SEC in sacks last season (41) which was fourth best nationally, was third in the SEC in tackles-for-loss with 97 (TFLs) and third in rushing defense. USC is returning four players on defense with double-digit TFL last season (the only SEC defense that can say that), and 91% of the total sacks from last season.
The USC defense line did lose defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye and defensive end Cliff Matthews from last year but this 2011 will not skip a beat.
Let’s take a look at the USC defensive line –
DE: Devin Taylor (RS Jr 6’7” 248lbs.) – He is the weak side DE. He was a first team/second team ALL-SEC player in 2010 depending on if you use the AP or the Coaches honors. Taylor, now in his fourth year with the program, is one of the leaders on defense due to him working hard and letting his actions speak for him. Taylor recorded 7.5 sacks in 2010. He has been overshadowed at the DE spot by the new guy named Clowney but by mid-season Devin Taylor will be a household name.
DT: Travian Robertson (RS Sr 6’4” 303lbs.) – This fifth year senior has played in more games than any other player on the team. He is two years removed from knee surgery and is finally 110% healthy. He is a bull against the run and is the strongest player on the football team. Expect Robertson to have a very big year in 2011 that really helps his draft stock as the season progresses. He should find his name somewhere on the ALL-SEC lists by seasons end.
DE/DT: Melvin Ingram (RS Sr 6’2” 271lbs.) – Melvin played in half of the defensive snaps last year, mostly on passing downs from the DT position and quietly led the team with nine sacks. This year, Melvin will likely rotate between DE in running situations and DT in passing situations as Jadeveon Clowney progresses into a force at the end spot. Ingram originally came to USC as a MLB and quickly outgrew the position ballooning up to 290lbs. He is now primed for a very big year as a senior and is coach Lawing’s most versatile linemen. He is listed as the current starter at defensive end opposite Devin Taylor.
DT: Bryon Jerideau (Jr 6’1 319lbs.) – Byron played in limited snaps last year as a first year JUCO player. He came to USC at 345lbs and has worked really hard to shed some bad weight. With that said he is primed for a big year and will help reap havoc on the inside to free up Taylor, Ingram and Clowney for the outside rush. Currently, he is slated to be lined up next to Travian Robertson at defensive tackle.
DT/DE: Aldrick Fordham (Jr 6’4 273) – Aldrick came to USC as a defensive end that the coaches hoped they could later grow into a tackle. Due to depth issues in the past, the USC coaching staff was not able to redshirt Aldrick like they would have wished. The best word to describe him is “solid” as he doesn’t jump off the screen at you but he is technically sound and does his job when called on. Aldrick will mostly line up at defensive tackle this season and was listed as the starter going in to spring at the DT position opposite Robertson. He will be a solid contributor and provide key depth upfront.
DT: Kelcy Quarles (Fr 6’4” 271lbs.) – The sky is the limit for Kelcy as a player. He spent the first semester at prep school and arrived at USC this past January. This kid has loads of upside as he has the speed to match the strength and skill. Kelcy is competing with Jerideau/Fordham for a starting DT spot, he may not win out quite yet but he will see a lot of action at DT in passing situations. Quarles is too good not to be on the field and if he was on any other team in America he would be a starter. Having him fight for playing time truly shows how talent rich this line is.
DE: Byron McKnight (Sr 6’5” 235lbs.) – A experienced line player that will be there for depth purposes but with so much talent in front of him, McKnight may not see the field too much in 2011.
DT: J.T. Surratt (RS Fr 6’2” 297lbs.) – This freshman may not see the field to much either in 2011 but it will be a good thing so he can get stronger and bigger.
DT: Corey Robinson (RS Fr 6’6” 333lbs) – Big yet needs to learn the system and the speed of SEC football. Year off from being the run-stopper that he will grow up to be.
DT: Kenny Davis (Jr 6’3” 310lbs) – Like Surratt and Robinson will use 2011 to get better as the talent in front of them may limit their snaps in 2011. Could see him in late game situations.
DE: Chaz Sutton (RS So 6’4” 245lbs) – Chaz is a player who is just now having the “light come on” and is figuring out what he needs to do to play in the SEC. Right now, he is a pass rusher off the edge and he needs to continue to impress to ensure playing time for the fall due to the emergence of Clowney. Sutton has a lot of talent and will need to give 110% on every play if he is going to be in the rotation in 2011.
DE: Jadeveon Clowney (Fr 6’5 250lbs) – The man, the myth and the legend. The expectations from just about everybody are enormous for Clowney and going against LTs in the SEC is going to be a challenge as an 18 year old true freshman but Clowney also has the luxury of playing on a defensive line that would be very good without him. Meaning he has time to learn and grow which is really scary. The USC defensive staff has plans to use Clowney in a variety of ways to get his talents on the field, especially against the pass. He will emerge by the middle of the season as he will need to get a few games under his belt to learn but don’t think for one second he will not live up to the hype.
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Other LOHD Position Primers
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Quarterback
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Running Back
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Fullback
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Wide Receivers
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Tight End
—Gamecocks Football: Summer Position Primer – Offensive Line
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