South Carolina Gamecocks 2015 Position Preview: Safety

By Sanders Early | Sep 1, 2015

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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Safety was a position that many Gamecock fans worried about after last season. Much of the year was defined by poor tackling and an inability to take proper angles when in pursuit of the ball carrier. Some blamed the coaches. Some said it was a lack of talent.

Whatever the reasoning, Steve Spurrier made sure to cover his bases during the offseason. First, he hired Jon Hoke to be co-defensive coordinator. He also managed to land transfer Isaiah Johnson who will be a 5th year senior this season. This season, the South Carolina Gamecocks will have some new faces and some familiar faces manning the position to try and improve the level of play.

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Isaiah Johnson and Jordan Diggs have been named the starting safeties for the Gamecocks against the North Carolina Tarheels. Chris Moody will back up Isaiah Johnson, and DJ Smith will back up Jordan Diggs.

Due to the Tarheels propensity for throwing the ball the Gamecocks may spend some time running a nickel defense. In that scenario, TJ Gurley will be the first off the bench. His backups are Jasper Sasser and Toure Boyd.

Last season, the Gamecocks could be considered relatively inexperienced at the safety position. That is not an excuse this season. South Carolina boasts a roster that features four upperclassmen on the two deep and one redshirt sophomore in Jasper Sasser.

“We have two nice sized safeties who will come up and hit. We can play half field and the post well. I think it gives the defense a sense of confidence,” Jordan Diggs stated in a post practice interview. The pieces are all there for the Gamecocks to make a major improvement at safety.

Next: Isaiah Johnson

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