South Carolina football: 3 questions at the linebacker position

The South Carolina football season is getting closer, and there are questions and battles at each position ahead of the season’s start. Here, we focus on the linebackers.

The Gamecocks’ season opener is set to be played on September 26th, though the opponent is not yet known. As the 10-game campaign creeps closer, South Carolina has just a little bit longer to answer unknown questions, sort through position battles, and get prepared for game one.

Let’s see three questions that will face the South Carolina linebacker unit in 2020.

1. WHO FILLS IN AT WILL?

TJ Brunson is off to the NFL after a productive four-year career in which he racked up over 280 tackles. The Gamecocks must now find a replacement for the former team captain.

The early candidates are Sherrod Greene, who started nine games a season ago, and sophomore Jahmar Brown. Greene has made 24 career starts, and seems to be the favorite to win the job, but Brown showed some flashes last season in limited action.

Greene is a sure tackler, but struggled a bit in matching up with pass catchers last year, which actually caused him to lose his starting gig for a couple of contests. Brown is young and athletic, which is very beneficial to the WILL position, as it calls for the ability to drop back in coverage, but his inexperience could still hold him back. It should be a fun battle this offseason between the two.

2. DOES MO KABA CONTRIBUTE EARLY?

Mohamed Kaba was one of the more highly touted recruits in the latest class, and the only linebacker that the Gamecocks took a commitment from. He looks like he could start his career at one of the outside linebacker spots. Does he have the ability to overtake some of the older players on the depth chart?

Coaches certainly think so. The one thing that may hold the four-star prospect back is the fact that he’s been recovering from and ACL injury sustained in his senior season of high school. Should he get back up to 100%, Gamecock fans should see him get some game action as the season wears on.

3. WILL THIS BE ERNEST JONES’ FINAL SEASON?

Ernest Jones led the defense with 97 tackles a year ago, and is the unit leader from his MIKE linebacker position. Another solid season could lead to the junior foregoing his final year of eligibility for the NFL.

Jones also tallied a sack, forced fumble, and two picks in 2019. He has great size at 230 pounds, is a sure tackler in space, can cover pass catchers, and displays the confidence and leadership needed at the MIKE position.

Jones may not be a name on a ton of minds at the moment, but expect all-SEC production from the third-year player in 2020.