COLUMBIA, S.C. —The biggest concern for South Carolina’s defense isn’t about this season. It’s about next season.
The Gamecocks lead the SEC and rank fourth nationally in yards allowed per game prior to tonight’s game against Tennessee. And three of their best players are juniors.
If all three return for their senior season, South Carolina should field another stout defense in 2009. But there has been speculation that all three — cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, linebacker Eric Norwood and safety Emanuel Cook — might go pro early.
First-year defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson seems optimistic they will return. And that’s not just wishful thinking.
“We’ve had a lot of traffic in here with NFL scouts,” Johnson said. “The majority of their focus has been on our seniors. We don’t get a lot of chitchat from them about the other guys.”
That’s a good sign for South Carolina.
“If the NFL clubs have their eyes on these younger guys, then the scouts better check them out,” Johnson said.
It’s not unusual for NFL scouts to have an eye on South Carolina defensive backs.
In the last 10 years, 10 South Carolina defensive backs have been drafted. In the last eight years, 11 defensive backs have made first- or second-team All-SEC.
The biggest difference in this year’s South Carolina defense is up front. The return of junior tackle Nathan Pepper and senior linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who both missed much of last season with knee injuries, has helped solidify the Gamecocks’ run defense.
Brinkley might not be as fast as he was before the injury, but he has improved as the season has progressed and is still a factor between the tackles.
Pepper’s return also has bolstered the depth of a defense that was stretched painfully thin last year.
“We’ve got more talent now,” Pepper said. “We’re able to play two-deep in the rotation.
“When we first got here, our coach wasn’t confident to play two-deep.”
Younger players have had an impact as starters and reserves.
Sophomore Chris Culliver, a converted wide receiver and one of South Carolina’s fastest players, has intercepted two passes and forced a fumble in his first season as a starter.
Sophomore defensive ends Clifton Geathers (6-foot-7, 290 pounds) and Cliff Matthews (6-4, 250) are starting to live up to their high school billing. Both were highly recruited when they signed with South Carolina in 2007.
The improved talent at end figured into South Carolina’s decision to move Norwood to linebacker. He made first-team All-SEC last season as a sophomore defensive end.
You could second-guess the move based on Norwood’s 2007 statistics: 19.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and three fumble recoveries. No one, including Norwood, has approached those numbers this season.
But Johnson is happy with the switch.
“We’re very pleased with the way he has played,” Johnson said. “He’s feeling more comfortable at the position. We try to find ways to use his versatility.”
While Norwood’s numbers are down, the team numbers are up. And opponents will vouch for that.
Each of South Carolina’s first eight opponents failed to reach its yards-per-game average. Five of those opponents were held 100 yards or more below their average.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 12
LostinNCVol writes:
I'm just trying to keep the idiots from saying it.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Good job lost!
ncvol17 writes:
I'm amazed ESPN II is picking up this game. I figured I would find it on ESPN gameplan and would have been a ppv.
LostinNCVol writes:
They want to witness our demise!
CoverOrange writes:
They want to witness Spurrier's last smirk over Phil.
tnbigg writes:
Their defense is looking at our offense and salivating...we may create a couple of Heisman candidates on THEIR DEFENSE...
blitzshoot writes:
This SC defense is going to have a field day against UT's offensive line. Stephens better be ready to dump the ball quick.
TheMagician writes:
Good job, Lost. Thank you!
Volomatic writes:
Is it really your goal in life that all you do is post this garbage
Do you really have nothing better to do than to look for JA's articles to just post this.
I bet your really foolmer
geniuspearl writes:
Just to clairify, Please continue to shop at all these retailers
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
With all the squares around, we hardly ever see any movement. Is that why we are getting all back ed up???? When we are full it has to come out somewhere. First anyone? Of yes, let's please get some movement going against the SC defense. We can do it. Time for a breakout game. We can do it.
TheMagician writes:
Stop ingesting squares and use some Ex-Lax and you will get some movement. You are right, you are full. It usually seems to come from your mouth. Maybe the Ex-Lax will help get it to come out of the other end.
I have suspected that this is your problem all along. Good luck with starting a new movement!
poof!
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