South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 greatest defensive tackles of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s Greatest Defensive Tackle of All-Time:
Andrew Provence
USC defensive tackle Andrew Provence earned All-American honors during 1982, Richard Bell's lone season as HC of @GamecockFB. Provence's 10 sacks in '82 was a single-season record at USC until surpassed by Jadaveon Clowney's 13 sacks in 2012. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/YV954kaCO3
— South by Southeast (@GamecockSxSE) October 3, 2022
Andrew Provence (1979-1982) was a three-year starter at tackle for some good South Carolina defenses. He racked up an absurd 392 tackles, including an other-worldly 294 in his final two seasons as a Gamecock. Provence finished his career as the Gamecocks’ all-time leader in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss, and fumble recoveries. All of those records have since been broken, but the fact he once owned them all is a testament to his dominance.
An All-American in 1982, Provence was picked up in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft, one of five defensive line teammates selected from that defense. He is considered one of the best Atlanta Falcons of all-time and is still a beloved figure in Atlanta. Like John LeHeup, he moved into ministry after his playing days, and he now serves as the chaplain for the Georgia State University football team.
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