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Unheralded Wonnum proving to be biggest steal of 2016 signing class

DJ Wonnum at practice recently

ALSO SEE: The Insider Report - Gamecocks closing on top DBs? | Practice Insider - Latest on position battles

(Part 1 of a two-part interview with Gamecock DL coach Lance Thompson)

Freshman defensive end D.J. Wonnum from Stone Mountain, Ga. has wasted little time making a big impression.

Less than three months after arriving on campus, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Wonnum has emerged as one of preseason camp’s pleasant surprises, holding his own in his daily practice battles with fellow defensive ends two or three years older

Still just 18 years old, Wonnum doesn’t play or act like a teenager, South Carolina defensive line coach Lance Thompson said.

“For a true freshman, D.J. Wonnum has the mind of a senior,” Thompson told reporters following Wednesday afternoon’s practice at the indoor facility. “He sees the game, he’s natural, he is reactive. We’re all very encouraged and very happy with D.J. Wonnum.”

Wonnum was a Class 6A All-Region standout at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga. He collected 38 tackles, 11 TFL and 2.5 sacks as a senior. Proving his athleticism, he was an all-state tight end as a junior in 2014.

Wonnum committed to the Gamecocks in late January about 10 days before National Signing Day. His other major offers included Cal, Colorado State, Iowa State, USF and Indiana.

USC was the only SEC or ACC school to offer Wonnum, who is showing early signs of becoming the steal of the 2016 signing class. Declaring Wonnum flew under the radar during the long recruiting process is a massive understatement.

“The type of kid he was, the program he played in and his family, he has all the right intangibles,” Thompson said. “When you put a player out there and you can trust him and he knows what he is supposed to do, and he does it and has the disciple to do it, that’s very encouraging for a coach.”

With 11 preseason camp practices in the books, Wonnum is the outright leader for best true freshman defensive lineman, Thompson said.

“The other guys are not at D.J.‘s level,” Thompson said. “D.J. has really performed at a high level. We’re pleased with Keir and Kobe and all the other guys that are here, but it’s a process. The closer to the line of scrimmage you play, obviously it’s a different deal than when you’re playing out back in your underwear. When you’re getting hit in the mouth every down, you have to have a certain maturity and toughness about you and be able to handle that.”

Currently, the Gamecock defensive line features an intriguing blend of upperclassmen (Marquavius Lewis, Kelsey Griffin, Ulric Jones, Taylor Stallworth, Abu Lamin, Dante Sawyer) and a sizeable group of redshirt and true freshmen (Daniel Fennell, Kier Thomas, Kobe Smith, Shameik Blackshear, Dexter Wideman, Wonnum, etc.)

Boosie Whitlow’s move to BUCK Linebacker along with Darius English in the spring means the Gamecocks lack a scholarship sophomore defensive lineman on the roster.

Lewis, who led the Gamecocks in quarterback hurries last season (6) as well as finishing second in sacks with 3.0, is probably USC’s most lethal weapon along the defensive front and Thompson plans to bounce him inside or outside depending on the situation. Lewis matched up with a guard could be advantageous for USC.

“Qua is working at multiple positions because he is athletic and he’s big and strong,” Thompson said. “He’s also a very team oriented guy. He could have been selfish and said, ‘I’m a defensive end.’ But he has taken on the opportunity to get better inside. He has done a very good job. It’s about flexibility. Over the course of a season in a physical league like the SEC, you need as many of those big guys ready to go as you can get.”

The catch? Lewis is the lone junior or senior defensive linemen that has “started anything considerable” in his career.

“Other than Qua, nobody in the (defensive linemen) room has ever played a lot of meaningful snaps,” Thompson said. “That makes a difference. The challenge is getting those guys ready for prime time and to take the next step and be guys that can be counted on.”

Less than halfway through preseason camp – and with two scrimmages still to go – Thompson is still moving pieces around to find the best combination of players.

“It’s very fluid,” Thompson said. “We’re probably working 10 guys right now at different positions, moving guys around trying to get the best combination. More than anything, we’re just trying to teach them the techniques and get a foundation that will last them through the season. So, when one guy goes down at one position, the next best guy can into the game. You always want to have your best 11 on the field.”

For Thompson, the ‘ideal” scenario is 10 defensive linemen ready to play every Saturday that “you can win a football game with.” Starter or non-starter? No difference to Thompson.

“I’m not really concerned with who’s a starter and who’s not a starter,” Thompson said. “The second series, there here is going to be possibly a new guy in the game. With that being said, they all have to perform at a high level and be able to play winning football on a consistent basis.”

Thompson’s two main objectives for this season are clear – improve a woeful pass rush and stabilize the run defense. The Gamecocks have ranked near the bottom of the SEC in both categories the past two seasons.

“Without question, our defensive line has to improve in every area,” Thompson said. “Everything starts with stopping the run. No. 2 is affecting the quarterback, whether sacks or hurries and just getting him out of his rhythm. We have to do a much better job and we still have a long way to go. But the guys are working hard.”

Because many modern offensive schemes incorporate quick drops and rapid-fire releases by the quarterbacks, sacks are difficult. That’s why getting to the quarterback quickly is paramount.

“The game is (now) a perimeter game and the bubble pass and quick screens (are more commonplace),” Thompson said. “A lot more teams are going to spread passes. At that point, you have to keep the quarterback in the pocket and affect him in his motion and mechanics. It’s a challenge.”

NOTE

-- The Gamecocks return to the practice fields Thursday at 6:30 pm. The stretch and the first three periods are open to the media, but closed to fans. Open practices will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, all beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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