Darius English Getting High Praise
Darius English came to the University of South Carolina considered by many the successor to Jadeveon Clowney and another great pass rushing end. Gamecock fans have been spoiled with players like Eric Norwood, Melvin Ingram, Cliff Matthews, Devin Taylor, and Jadeveon Clowney. English was a four star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite. He was named Georgia’s AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year his senior season. He was named to the PARADE All-America team and chose the Gamecocks over offers from Arkansas, Auburn, and many others. Gamecock fans looked at him as another future great defensive end in what has been a very impressive string of success at the position.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, getting his time in the light, English was unimpressive last season. The quickness the coaches had spoken of and the lack of being a playmaker underwhelmed the fans and the coaches as well. Things just weren’t going according to plan. English was buried on the depth chart at the start of fall practice. He had become the forgotten man with all of the hype surrounding the new crop of future stars. Marquavius Lewis, Dante Sawyer, Dexter Wideman, and Shameik Blackshear were being talked about frequently. These guys were the impact players the Gamecocks were missing, and everyone else already on the team would just have to take a back seat, including Darius English.
There’s a funny thing that happens when a player has time to develop mentally and physically. They start to come around. Especially ones with all the tools to be very good. A great example would be Melvin Ingram. Ingram was moved all over the field from linebacker to fullback to defensive tackle to defensive end. His senior season, everything clicked.
Darius English is a junior this season so, it did not really surprise me when Steve Spurrier praised Darius English after practice on August 13. “Darius English looked like an All-American out here today. He comes around the corner, and we can’t block him.” Most brushed it off that he was going against the second and third string offensive line. Sure, that’s a valid excuse.
Spurrier came out singing the praises of English again today, however. “Darius English looks like an All-American. He pushes Brandon Shell right back into the quarterback, and he pushed Pellage right back into the quarterback,” he said.
No more excuses. Brandon Shell is considered one of the top players in the nation by 247Sports (ranked 202nd overall). He’s a first string offensive lineman and considered the anchor and leader of the offensive line going into the season.
Darius English is coming into his own. He’s gaining more confidence. He’s got experience. Perhaps, this will be his breakout year.