Robinson on Gamecocks' d-line: 'That's our most talented unit'

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL

For the first time since Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson arrived in Columbia three years ago, South Carolina's defensive line is not a question mark heading into the season.

As the Gamecocks prepare for the 2019 season -- and one of the most brutal schedules in the country -- its coaches are convinced that through recruiting and development, they finally have the quality and quantity up front on defense to compete.

“That’s our most talented unit," defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson said at the beginning of the spring. "We’re finally at the point where we have depth. That’s the one thing we’ve been lacking for the last three years up front is depth. We’ve recruited the right guys; we have the right guys in the building. We’re excited about them."

A big reason for the excitement is the return of key players like defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and BUCK/defensive end D.J. Wonnum, who is the Gamecocks' best pass-rusher but missed most of last season with an ankle injury. Kinlaw, who missed the bowl game with a hip injury, was South Carolina's highest-graded performer last season, according to PFF.

South Carolina has also added a new voice to the room in new defensive line coach John Scott, Jr., who is primarily working with the interior linemen, but also, like all assistants, will have a say in the overall defense.

"I’m excited about Coach Scott," Robinson said. "He’s done a great job bringing some of his thinking to our room. Sometimes you just need some fresh ideas. He was able to give us some of those things as far as the run game and how the program is run.”

Kinlaw and Wonnum aren't the only two players the fans and coaching staff should be excited about. On paper, the Gamecocks finally have the depth to compete in the always-brutal, always-physical SEC.

Senior Keir Thomas, who can play end or tackle, is back and will compete for playing time at both spots. Sophomores J.J. Enagbare and Rick Sandidge showed flashes as true freshmen last season and will undoubtedly compete for playing time, and maybe even starting posts, at end and tackle respectively. Junior defensive end Aaron Sterling is also back and has showed flashes of big-time pass-rush ability.

"I'm pretty excited about what we have," Scott said. "Obviously, we've got some guys that are really, really going to be big contributors not out there right now, but that's okay. It's a great opportunity for some of the young guys to get quality reps, which in this league, you better have some depth. I say all the time, it's the AFC, the NFC and the SEC, so you better have some depth. You need to be six or seven deep and this spring is allowing us to develop some quality depth."

Senior Kobe Smith came on strong as a junior last season and will either start alongside Kinlaw at defensive tackle or provide key depth again this season depending on opponent matchups and how the competition there goes. Senior Danny Fennell and junior Brad Johnson will spell Wonnum at BUCK.

Then there's the addition of a trio of signees who are already on campus: Five-star Zacch Pickens, four-star Joe Anderson, and three-star JUCO transfer Devontae Davis. All three are expected to compete for snaps with Pickens already drawing the attention of his coaches and teammates.

South Carolina went into 2018 hoping to lean on the explosive pass-rush ability of then-senior Bryson Allen-William and Wonnum. But injuries to both players resulted in few opportunities to get both on the field at the same time.

While injuries are never welcomed, they're a fact of life in a violent game. Robinson believes the Gamecocks' pass-rush finally has the numbers it needs to compete -- and not suffer such a drop off when injuries inevitably come up.

“It’s not close," Robinson said. "You look at Dennis Wonnum, you look at Aaron Sterling, you look at a new kid that just got here in Rodricus Fitten, you look at some of those guys. We were able to move J.J. to end. That’s four or five guys that can really get after it. I’m excited about it. I’m excited to not have to pressure (by blitzing) all the time and be able to rush four and get to the quarterback. We were able to do that some but when you lose Dennis Wonnum in the first ballgame it kind of hurts the pass rush right there.”