South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 greatest defensive tackles of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Defensive Tackle of All-Time:
Kelcy Quarles
Kelcy Quarles (2011-2013) was an underappreciated force in the middle of the best defensive lines in school history. Overshadowed at times (understandably) by Jadeveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram, Quarles was very good, himself. A strong player against the run for three seasons, Quarles developed into a good pass rusher by his junior season. In 2013, he put together a 9.5 sack season as he feasted in one-on-one situations as offensive lines simply could not double-team both Quarles and Clowney.
The Greenwood High School graduate went on to a short career in the NFL after leaving South Carolina, but Gamecock fans wonder “what if” with Quarles. Both Quarles and defensive back Victor Hampton forwent their final year of eligibility in 2014 to pursue an NFL job. Both players went undrafted and had very brief stints in the league. Meanwhile, the 2014 defense gave up three different double-digit comebacks in the 4th quarter that cost South Carolina another trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.