During the final 10 days until the start of South Carolina's season, Gamecock Central will use each day to take a look at 10 storylines that will most directly affect the success of Carolina's 2018 campaign.
With six days until kickoff, we look at our No. 6 storyline - T.J. Brunson the leader.
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With hard work and determination, T.J. Brunson's career at South Carolina has made a natural progression.
As a freshman, he worked his way onto the field, primarily playing as a backup linebacker and special teams performer.
Last season, Brunson emerged as a key cog in Will Muschamp's defense, holding down the middle linebacker position and nearly edging out Skai Moore as the team's top tackler.
Now as a junior, No. 6 has emerged as the unquestioned leader of the Gamecocks' defense.
"T.J. is the leader of our defense, I want to make sure I let that be known," fifth-year senior Bryson Allen-Williams said. "T.J. has come so far just from seeing him come in as a freshman to him about to enter his junior year and seeing his development and understanding of the calls. He diagnoses and makes the checks, so it's his defense."
Linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler added that Brunson is easily one of the hardest workers on the team.
"We've put a lot on him to be a leader and step up," Hutzler said. "T.J. is a blue-collar, hard-hat dude. He's going to come to work every day. He's had a great camp so far. He's really taken on that leadership and that being a vocal guy, whether it's as the MIKE making calls and checks or off the field in the locker room. He's going to show up every day and he's going to run and hit."
What's next for Brunson? Likely an opportunity to lead the team in tackles this season for the first time in his career.
“He’s played really good football for us and has the right kind of demeanor and talent that I want at middle linebacker, a guy that’s extremely bright, smart, positively affects the guys around him,” head coach Will Muschamp said. “I’m expecting a big year from him.”
