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South Carolina Football – Impact Sophomores

By Jacob Elsey

Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 30: Zacch Pickens #26 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after a play with teammate Rick Sandidge #90 during their game against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 30: Zacch Pickens #26 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after a play with teammate Rick Sandidge #90 during their game against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

DEF: Zacch Pickens, Jammie Robinson

DL Zacch Pickens

Pickens earned All-Conference honors as a freshman for the Gamecocks last year.  The rookie played in 12 games, totaling 16 tackles from his defensive tackle position.  He will take on a much larger role in 2020 after the departure of future first-round pick Javon Kinlaw.

Pickens came to campus as the top-rated prospect in the state of South Carolina, and the 9th ranked player nationally.  He’ll be working under his second position coach in as many years, as former DL coach John Scott, Jr. has moved on to Penn State.  Will Muschamp brought in Tracy Rocker to fill the void.  Rocker has been in coaching for 25+ years and has had stops at Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Auburn.

The new hire shouldn’t have much of an impact on Pickens’ progress, and any tweaks to the defensive concept should be minimal.  Expect the former five-star recruit to earn his fair share of playing time along the defensive line in 2020, as the Gamecocks will be without three of its four starters from last season (Kinlaw, DJ Wonnum, K. Smith).

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 16: Cordarrian Richardson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies is upended by Jammie Robinson #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks as Ernest Jones #53 looks on during their game at Kyle Field on November 16, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 16: Cordarrian Richardson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies is upended by Jammie Robinson #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks as Ernest Jones #53 looks on during their game at Kyle Field on November 16, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

DB Jammie Robinson

Robinson was a major player in the Gamecocks’ secondary last year, making three starts and playing in all 12 games.  He was named freshman All-Conference after tallying 62 tackles and an interception in 2019.  He saw action at both the safety and nickel spots for Defensive Coordinator Travaris Robinson.

South Carolina is thin at defensive back, particularly the safety and nickel positions.  Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu appear to have the two starting corner roles locked up, but the safety rotation looks to be between just three players.  Those players are junior Jaylin Dickerson, who looks to rebound from yet another season-ending injury, RJ Roderick, who started 11 games last year, and Robinson.  One of those players may also be asked to man the nickel spot when the defense uses five defensive backs.

Robinson possesses all the traits that Head Coach Will Muschamp looks for in his secondary.  The most visible being that he likes to ‘stick his face in the fan,’ demonstrated by his 3rd place finish among South Carolina’s leading tacklers.  Look for Robinson to build on his All-SEC freshman season, and earn a ton of playing time in 2020.

Read more: Look at who will have the biggest impact from the Freshman Class.

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