Bryson Allen-Williams could be key to improving Gamecock pass rush

Bryson Allen-Williams has done a little bit of everything in his almost four years at South Carolina.

He’s played on special teams; he’s been used as a defensive end, a middle linebacker, an outside linebacker and will factor in at BUCK this season.

He’s dropped back in coverage, totaling three career interceptions, and has two forced fumbles over his career.

This year, he’s the Gamecocks’ Swiss army knife at linebacker, being used in coverage and more in the pass rush. He spent the entire offseason putting in extra work to become an elite pass rusher and now he said, “it’s time to put it all together.”

“Since I’ve been here I’ve been one of those guys who I want to help the team wherever I’m at,” Allen-Williams said. “I think my skill set this year kind of widened and I’m able to do a little more things. They‘re going to move me around to get me in the right spots and help the team make plays.”

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Allen-Williams will try and improve a Gamecock pass rush that ranked last in the SEC last season. The defense picked up 21 sacks in 13 games (1.6 per game) and couldn’t put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

While also working an internship this summer, the rising senior would participate in team workouts and then get in about 90 minutes of individual workouts in late at night before having to be up again at 5 a.m. for conditioning and weight training.

His 17-hour days were all in an effort to make sure he was ready for the added challenge of rushing quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s rushing the passer as the BUCK alongside DJ Wonnum, who played the position last year as a true freshman.

Wonnum has seen big strides in Allen-Williams over preseason camp and thinks big things are in his future.

“He’s naturally talented; he can play all over the field,” Wonnum said. “Coming off the edge is like second nature to him.”

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Wonnum said the pass rush this season should be “improved tremendously” with more players comfortable in the team’s scheme. There are five seniors in the Gamecocks’ front seven and every listed starter played significant time last season.

The team also brings in Aaron Sterling, who’s impressed over the first part of preseason camp. He’ll likely factor into the defensive rotation as a true freshman.

“He’s been the guy that’s come along and DJ Wonnum he’s improved from being a freshman last year to really maturing into his body,” Allen-Williams said of Sterling. “I’m really excited to see what he’s going to do on Saturdays.”

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Allen-Williams doesn’t have a set spot right now in Muschamp’s defense, and he doesn’t mind that one bit. He likes roaming around the field and making an impact anywhere he can.

He doesn’t have a problem rushing passers, stopping the run or setting the edge for other players to make plays.

Despite the NFL calling his name after his junior year, he opted to come back for one last go-round as a Gamecock. Now, he’ll get another chance to prove to scouts he’s pro-ready while also getting to anchor the Gamecock defense.

“I didn’t finish nearly as much as I thought I needed to finish in college,” he said. “This is going to be my first year being in the same defense twice. There’s so much potential that I have that I haven’t met yet. I already knew I was coming back to show everybody what I can do.”