Will The USC Defense Be Even Better In 2010?
posted by Scott Hood, Sunday, December 20, 2009
In fact, I'm willing to predict eight months before the season opener that USC will have the best defense in the SEC next season and finish in the Top 10 nationally. They're third right now behind Alabama and Florida, so it's a short hop to the top.
Yes, Eric Norwood will be a huge loss. So will SS Darian Stewart, the leader of the secondary, and DT Nathan Pepper, the most fundamentally sound defensive lineman.
But that’s it. As many as eight defensive starters from the Clemson game will return in 2010. Of course, things could change if Clifton Geathers, Ladi Ajiboye or Chris Culliver decide to declare for next April’s NFL Draft, but predently I believe all three players will return next season.
While those players have applied for an evaluation from the NFL Undergraduate Advisory Committee, it appears from talking with those players during bowl practice that they all learned from the bitter experiences of Emanuel Cook and Captain Munnerlyn last spring.
The defensive line could be one of the best in school history with three seniors and a redshirt junior. As Steve Spurrier remarked this week, will there be a better defensive end duo in the country than Geathers and Cliff Matthews? Both could be First-Team All-SEC in 2010 and high-round draft picks in 2011.
Devin Taylor will certainly battle hard for a starting job, but he has to get physically stronger to become an elite D-end in the SEC. But he showed his promise this year, especially early, and could be the best No. 3 defensive end in the SEC next season.
The backup behind Matthews should be former four-star prospect Chaz Sutton, though Byron McKnight will battle him for the coveted spot on the depth chart. Aldrick Fordham will likely redshirt after playing briefly in 2009.
The loss of Pepper should be offset by the return of Travian Robertson from his severe knee injury that cost him the final two-thirds of the 2009 season. The tandem of Ajiboye and Robertson in the defensive interior could be dynamite provided: a) they behave themselves; and b) they stay healthy.
Defensive line coach Brad Lawing likes to rotate two players at each position in order to keep players fresh during the games. So, who will play besides Ajiboye and Robertson?
Melvin Ingram has the inside track for one spot. The other, though, could go to Sharrif Floyd, the nation’s No. 1 DT prospect, if he signs with the Gamecocks or Kelcy Quarles of Greenwood, another potential signee that has verbally committed to USC.
Kenny Davis has a long way to go before he’s ready for significant playing time.
With his extensive experience, Rodney Paulk should start at middle linebacker as long as he’s able to recover fully from torn knee ligaments. He said this week that his rehab is going well. Josh Dickerson should back him up, giving USC a redshirt junior (if Paulk is able to secure a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA) and a senior at MLB.
The outside linebacker spot in the 4-2-5 scheme favored by Ellis Johnson could be the subject of one of the more intriguing position battles of the spring. Right now, Shaq Wilson, Tony Straughter, Reggie Bowens, Chaun Gresham and new JUCO transfer Toquavius Gilchrist are all in the mix.
Damario Jeffery played well as a true freshman at spur linebacker, and, based on his superior size, should enter the spring as the favorite there with Antonio Allen close behind. Alonzo Winfield will likely get moved to strong safety.
If the defensive front seven shakes out the way I think it will, USC will feature four seniors, two juniors and a sophomore among the starters. That’s the kind of experience you need to prevail in the SEC.
The secondary should be more experienced as well. At first glance, the starters should be Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste at cornerback and Chris Culliver and DeVonte Holloman at safety. But players like C.C. Whitlock and D.J. Swearinger will seek to make a statement as well.
Except for Floyd, I don’t foresee many freshmen playing next season. And that’s still a big ‘if’ considering Floyd is also looking seriously at Ohio State, Florida and North Carolina. John Fulton could see action at cornerback or possibly Justin Parker at linebacker.
But those three prospects – all highly regarded - have to sign with USC first. As most recruiting fanatics are well aware, you take nothing for granted when it comes to the decisions of 17 and 18-year boys.
Overall, the 2010 USC defense will be more experienced and possess greater depth than the one we're watching right now. Add it up and it means the Gamecocks will be better as well.
PROJECTED 2010 STARTING DEFENSE:
DE – Clifton Geathers
DT – Travian Robertson
DT – Ladi Ajiboye
DE – Cliff Matthews
OLB – Shaq Wilson
MLB – Rodney Paulk
SPUR – Damario Jeffery
CB – Stephon Gilmore
SS – DeVonte Holloman
FS – Chris Culliver
CB – Akeem Auguste
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I realize the South Carolina defense is losing one of the best players ever to wear the garnet and black, but I believe the Gamecocks will be better on defense in 2010.
In fact, I'm willing to predict eight months before the season opener that USC will have the best defense in the SEC next season and finish in the Top 10 nationally. They're third right now behind Alabama and Florida, so it's a short hop to the top.
Yes, Eric Norwood will be a huge loss. So will SS Darian Stewart, the leader of the secondary, and DT Nathan Pepper, the most fundamentally sound defensive lineman.
But that’s it. As many as eight defensive starters from the Clemson game will return in 2010. Of course, things could change if Clifton Geathers, Ladi Ajiboye or Chris Culliver decide to declare for next April’s NFL Draft, but predently I believe all three players will return next season.
While those players have applied for an evaluation from the NFL Undergraduate Advisory Committee, it appears from talking with those players during bowl practice that they all learned from the bitter experiences of Emanuel Cook and Captain Munnerlyn last spring.
The defensive line could be one of the best in school history with three seniors and a redshirt junior. As Steve Spurrier remarked this week, will there be a better defensive end duo in the country than Geathers and Cliff Matthews? Both could be First-Team All-SEC in 2010 and high-round draft picks in 2011.
Devin Taylor will certainly battle hard for a starting job, but he has to get physically stronger to become an elite D-end in the SEC. But he showed his promise this year, especially early, and could be the best No. 3 defensive end in the SEC next season.
The backup behind Matthews should be former four-star prospect Chaz Sutton, though Byron McKnight will battle him for the coveted spot on the depth chart. Aldrick Fordham will likely redshirt after playing briefly in 2009.
The loss of Pepper should be offset by the return of Travian Robertson from his severe knee injury that cost him the final two-thirds of the 2009 season. The tandem of Ajiboye and Robertson in the defensive interior could be dynamite provided: a) they behave themselves; and b) they stay healthy.
Defensive line coach Brad Lawing likes to rotate two players at each position in order to keep players fresh during the games. So, who will play besides Ajiboye and Robertson?
Melvin Ingram has the inside track for one spot. The other, though, could go to Sharrif Floyd, the nation’s No. 1 DT prospect, if he signs with the Gamecocks or Kelcy Quarles of Greenwood, another potential signee that has verbally committed to USC.
Kenny Davis has a long way to go before he’s ready for significant playing time.
With his extensive experience, Rodney Paulk should start at middle linebacker as long as he’s able to recover fully from torn knee ligaments. He said this week that his rehab is going well. Josh Dickerson should back him up, giving USC a redshirt junior (if Paulk is able to secure a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA) and a senior at MLB.
The outside linebacker spot in the 4-2-5 scheme favored by Ellis Johnson could be the subject of one of the more intriguing position battles of the spring. Right now, Shaq Wilson, Tony Straughter, Reggie Bowens, Chaun Gresham and new JUCO transfer Toquavius Gilchrist are all in the mix.
Damario Jeffery played well as a true freshman at spur linebacker, and, based on his superior size, should enter the spring as the favorite there with Antonio Allen close behind. Alonzo Winfield will likely get moved to strong safety.
If the defensive front seven shakes out the way I think it will, USC will feature four seniors, two juniors and a sophomore among the starters. That’s the kind of experience you need to prevail in the SEC.
The secondary should be more experienced as well. At first glance, the starters should be Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste at cornerback and Chris Culliver and DeVonte Holloman at safety. But players like C.C. Whitlock and D.J. Swearinger will seek to make a statement as well.
Except for Floyd, I don’t foresee many freshmen playing next season. And that’s still a big ‘if’ considering Floyd is also looking seriously at Ohio State, Florida and North Carolina. John Fulton could see action at cornerback or possibly Justin Parker at linebacker.
But those three prospects – all highly regarded - have to sign with USC first. As most recruiting fanatics are well aware, you take nothing for granted when it comes to the decisions of 17 and 18-year boys.
Overall, the 2010 USC defense will be more experienced and possess greater depth than the one we're watching right now. Add it up and it means the Gamecocks will be better as well.
PROJECTED 2010 STARTING DEFENSE:
DE – Clifton Geathers
DT – Travian Robertson
DT – Ladi Ajiboye
DE – Cliff Matthews
OLB – Shaq Wilson
MLB – Rodney Paulk
SPUR – Damario Jeffery
CB – Stephon Gilmore
SS – DeVonte Holloman
FS – Chris Culliver
CB – Akeem Auguste
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.