South Carolina football: five bold predictions for the upcoming season

Helmets of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Helmets of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Ernest Jones #53 of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. ERNEST JONES LEADS SEC IN TACKLES

Every great defense needs a leader, and that leader for South Carolina is junior linebacker Ernest Jones. He started every game for the Gamecocks last year, finishing with 97 total tackles and two interceptions. Those 97 tackles were good for fifth in the SEC, as he recorded nine or more takedowns in seven of his 12 appearances.

This year, we’re predicting that he moves to the top of the pack as he paces the Southeastern Conference in total tackles. It will likely mean that he eclipses the 100-tackle mark for the first time in his collegiate career, in what we think will be an All-SEC type season for the Georgia native.