South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-15 greatest linebackers of all-time

TJ Brunson held down the middle of the defense for several years for South Carolina football. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
TJ Brunson held down the middle of the defense for several years for South Carolina football. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former South Carolina football captain Shaq Wilson combined with DJ Swearinger for this tackle against Wofford. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

South Carolina Football’s No. 15 Linebacker of All-Time:
Shaq Wilson

Shaq Wilson (2008-2012) essentially had two separate linebacker careers at South Carolina. A starter as a sophomore in 2009, the small, rangy linebacker led the team in tackles with 85 but then missed most of 2010 with an injury. Upon his return, #16 reinvented himself as #54, a run-stopper who was 30 pounds heavier than when he arrived on campus.

After he got reacclimated in 2011, Wilson racked up 86 tackles as a senior in 2012. Wilson’s adaptability and team-first mentality made him an obvious choice as a team captain his final two years, and his 15 tackles for loss rank highly in team history for stand-up linebackers. Since graduating, he has gotten into coaching, spending some time with the Gamecocks before working with the NFL’s New York Jets.