South Carolina football: How will Gamecocks be affected by NFL Draft?

South Carolina football will be shorthanded on defense in 2021.

ERNEST JONES

Jones has led the team in tackles each of the last two seasons, racking up 86 takedowns in 2020. He’s been a leader and team captain in the middle of the South Carolina defense, and was one of the few bright spots in a defense that allowed 36 points a game.

Jones had the option to return for a senior season, but will elect to try his luck at the professional level. So what will the Gamecocks do without their leader?

Rosendo Louis and Mohamed Kaba project to slide into the role at middle linebacker, but neither has gotten any real game time experience as they’ve played in reserve roles early in their careers.

This could go from an area of strength to weakness as the Gamecocks try to adjust their defense to fill Jones’ void.

JAYCEE HORN and ISRAEL MUKUAMU

Jones wasn’t the only defender to announce his intention to declare for the NFL Draft. Two cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu made their decisions known immediately after the team’s firing of head coach Will Muschamp.

Both players have been starters in the secondary for two seasons, with Horn projecting as a first round selection.

Combined, they totaled four interceptions on the year, with Horn being considered the top cover corner in the Southeastern Conference.

With the two starters out, the Gamecocks will rely on youth in the secondary next year. Luckily, that youth is proven.

John Dixon has been one of the team’s best defenders since taking over in a starting role, and freshman Cam Smith tied for the team lead with two picks. This is an area where the Gamecocks have depth, so while they may be losing their best player on that side of the ball, there may not be as big a drop off as one might expect.