South Carolina Gamecocks 2015 Position Preview: Defensive Tackle

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Stallworth

Taylor Stallworth may be the steal of the 2014 class. According to the 247Sports Composite, he was a 3-star rated recruit. He decided to come to South Carolina over offers from Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Ole Miss.

The talented sophomore will get his share of opportunities this season

He was not expected by many to be headed for anything other than a redshirt season as a freshman when he stepped on campus. Fortunately for the Gamecocks, the state of Alabama has been a pretty good place to recruit lately. Stallworth impressed the coaches enough in practice for the chatter to start last season that he may need to play.

It seemed like the coaches would prefer to give him a year to redshirt, but the suspect play of the defensive line did not allow for that. Stallworth recorded 8 tackles last season, including 3 tackles against Miami in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

Stallworth tore his right pectoral muscle during spring practice. He has returned from the injury, but it has led to him falling in the depth chart. However, Ward did not rule out the possibility of Stallworth jumping Dante Sawyer for the starting spot against North Carolina. The talented sophomore will get his share of opportunities this season like the rest of the defensive tackles that will be constantly cycled in and out of the lineup.

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