South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 greatest defensive tackles of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 8 Defensive Tackle of All-Time:
Zacch Pickens
Zacch Pickens (2019-2022) was from the heart of Clemson territory but chose to be a Gamecock out of TL Hanna High School. The big man was a five-star recruit out of high school and stepped onto campus with tons of expectations. He did not immediately live up to those lofty expectations as Javon Kinlaw and Kobe Smith were in better positions to play and succeed than Pickens. Some started to label him a “bust” before he ever really got his opportunity.
Things started to change after Pickens became the man at defensive tackle. A solid sophomore campaign showed signs of the future, and by his junior season, fans could see Pickens was special. A rare combination of strength and athletic movement, #6 became an impossible player to block and was a focal point for opposing offensive coordinators. After a very good senior year, he was honored as an All-SEC player and was selected as the 2023 Senior Bowl Defensive Lineman MVP. He will likely hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.