South Carolina football: potential All-SEC performers on the roster
By Jacob Elsey
Which South Carolina football players could earn All-SEC honors?
The South Carolina football program is in a rebuild, trying to recover from a two-win season posted in 2020. While expectations will be low in Shane Beamer’s first season at the helm, it doesn’t mean there’s not talent on the Gamecocks’ roster. Despite underwhelming results on the field, the program has seen three former players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2018. There’s a possibility that a fourth can make the list in the ’22 Draft.
In 2021, South Carolina returns one of the conference’s top pass rushers, two five-star defensive linemen, the NCAA’s reigning sack leader, and the SEC’s leading returning rusher. There will be a number of new faces taking over in starting roles, upperclassmen looking to close out their careers on a high note, and transfers hoping to establish themselves at college football’s highest level.
Which South Carolina football players could challenge for All-SEC honors come season’s end?
JJ Enagbare
Enagbare earned all-conference honors last season after tallying six sacks over eight games. He opted to return for his senior year, and has seen his name listed in first-round NFL mock draft projections all offseason.
He’ll be the Gamecocks’ best pass rusher again in 2021, and with another big season, he’ll become the fourth top selection for the program in the last five seasons.
Nick Muse
Muse broke out towards the end of last season, hauling in 14 catches for 196 yards over his final two contests. For the year, he finished second on the team in receiving, and became Luke Doty’s favorite target.
With Doty back for his sophomore year under center, expect Muse to see a ton of action in an otherwise unproven South Carolina receiving corps.
Ahmarean Brown
Speaking of receivers, transfer Ahmarean Brown is also expected to have a major role on the Gamecocks’ offense. The third-year player set Georgia Tech records as a freshman, marks that were previously held by superstar pass catcher Calvin Johnson.
In 19 career contests, Brown has hauled in 32 catches for 579 yards and nine scores. He steps onto campus as one of the team’s most proven weapons at wideout. He’s already been an All-ACC performer. Now, he’s hoping to do it in the SEC, too.
Zacch Pickens
Pickens was an all-conference performer as a freshman in Columbia, and the former five-star recruit is looking to make a major impact in the middle of South Carolina’s defensive line next season. The tackle more than doubled his production as a sophomore, and with a successful junior year, the NFL could be calling his name.
In 18 career games, Pickens has notched 51 tackles and a sack along the front four. Look for 2021 to be his best performance yet.