A season ago, the South Carolina defense was far from the strength of the team, and that’s putting it nicely. It came along toward the end of the year, but it was too little too late. The Gamecocks have added several new pieces from the portal as well as incoming freshmen and should have a much improved unit entering the 2024 season.

Of this group, who will be the x-factor for the defense to go to the next level?

First and foremost I think the strength of this team will be the front 7. It is returning many of its starters from a season ago and adding players like Dylan Stewart, Deandre Jules, Monkell Goodwine, and Kyle Kennard. The front 7 should have the most depth and athleticism that it has ever had in the Beamer era and, at least on paper, checks several key boxes such as pass rush ability and ability to stop the run.

From this unit, I don’t think any one player is going to play head and shoulders above the others. This should be a joint effort with lots of rotations to keep guys fresh. That said, I believe that as the front 7 emerges as the strength of the defense, the secondary will benefit, and one player in particular, Nick Emmanwori will rise as the x-factor.

As a freshman, Emmanwori led the team in tackles with 85 and also added 1 fumble recovery. Last season, he tallied 71 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 PDs. While the tackles reduced in year 2, we saw what he’s capable of in pass defense. It’s this kind of versatility that will allow defensive coordinator, Clayton White, to utilize him in creative ways. 

At 6’4” 220lbs, he possesses the physicality to be used inside the box or even on blitzes, yet he does not give anything up when it comes to speed and athleticism which allows him to cover in space. He is a tremendous athlete who can be used all over the field which I expect to be the case next season.

I do not expect him to lead the team in tackles this coming season which is not a bad thing. Most defenses who are led in tackles by a DB usually have a below average front 7. I do expect Emmanwori to be near the top of every statistical category for this defense, though. I can see him tallying 60-70 tackles, 2-3 sacks, 2-3 interceptions, and a force fumble or 2.

Due to the weak defense from past seasons, South Carolina did not force many 3rd and long situations. It felt like the defense stayed in 3rd in short plays which made it hard to blitz, especially from the safety position. Assuming the defense finds themselves in more 3rd and long situations I feel like Clayton White will get bold at times and mix in some exotic blitz packages.

In scenarios like this, why would you not want to send one of your best athletes on a blitz?

At the end of the day, South Carolina’s defense will have the most talent it has had in quite some time, and I believe many players will flash. That said, I don’t think there is anyone on the roster with the type of versatility as Nick Emmanwori, and it is his versatility that will allow him to function as a swiss army knife, creating nightmares for opposing offenses.

His success will be set up by the front 7 emerging as the strength of the defense, but as Emmanwori asserts himself as the team’s x-factor, the defense will rise to heights never before seen in the Beamer Era.