There is a lot of skepticism regarding South Carolina’s defense this season. It stems from some of the rather significant names that are no longer on the depth chart, including Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarles and Chaz Sutton.
Those are just the starters lost off the defensive line. The Gamecocks are also having to replace cornerbacks Victor Hampton and Jimmy Legree.
But J.T. Surratt, the lone returning starter on that defensive front, said opponents should be warned to underestimate them.
“We’ve got a bond,” said the 6-foot-2, 310-pound tackle. “We understand (the challenge) because we played with those guys. We know that we can’t fall off by much. We know the hard work we put in and that’s what we’re trying to get all the young guys ready for, too. We’re all trying to make each other better.”
The defensive end Clowney was, of course, the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in May. But Quarles and Sutton may have been more effective this past season.
The Gamecocks’ linebacking corps returns intact, as are their safeties, and coach Steve Spurrier pointed to that as a strong foundation on which to build.
Meanwhile, many other players South Carolina has been recruiting to Columbia these past few years have been waiting in the wings.
“We lost some big guys but, at the same time, we’ve got some guys looking to make a name for themselves,” said Surratt, who has started 14 games for the Gamecocks. “We have people that are stepping up already and filling those leadership roles. … A lot of us are hungry and eager to start this year just so we can quiet some things and show everyone we’re not going to fall off.”
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