South Carolina football: will the defense be better or worse in 2021?

PASS DEFENSE – Better

The run defense was obviously a letdown, but the secondary was even more disappointing considering South Carolina was returning key contributors at both cornerback and safety. First-round selection Jaycee Horn and NFL draftee Israel Mukuamu couldn’t stop opposing passers, and to make things worse, both opted out of the team’s final three games.

RJ Roderick also sat out the final three games, forcing the Gamecocks to play underclassmen in starting roles near the end of the year.

The 256.1 yard per game average wasn’t terrible, but the 21 passing touchdowns allowed was. Pair that with an inability to create turnovers, and the Gamecocks saw opposing offenses march up and down the field week in and week out.

While South Carolina loses five starters from last year’s secondary, we’re predicting that the unit will be better against the pass in 2021. Cam Smith will lock down one of the corner spots after tying for the team lead in picks last year in a reserve role. He’ll likely team up with freshman All-American transfer Karon Prunty, who committed to play for the Gamecocks last month. Prunty is one of six transfer defensive backs to join the roster from either the Division I or JUCO ranks.

Also helping out should be an improved pass rush. Jordan Strachan comes to Columbia after leading the nation in sacks a season ago. JJ Enagbare is back, too, after pacing the Gamecocks in the category last year. Mix in Jordan Burch and Aaron Sterling on the edge and South Carolina should be able to get into opposing backfield early and often.

Expect an uptick in interceptions, sacks, and efficiency next year.