100 days from South Carolina Football: 10 players who must make a jump in 2023
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football Needs Boogie Huntley, Tonka Hemingway, and the Defensive Tackles to Stay Healthy and Consistent
The defensive tackle position is arguably the most talented unit on the defensive side of the ball. Players like Tonka Hemingway, Alex “Boogie” Huntley, and TJ Sanders have flashed at times during their Gamecock careers, and Elijah Davis had a very good spring. However, for Carolina to have a better defense (especially in correcting their deficiencies against the run), the defensive tackles must step up.
Hemingway is expected to have the biggest 2023 as Athlon Sports projected the Conway native as an All-SEC tackle this season. Huntley has battled injuries throughout his career but has been good when healthy, and Sanders could be the most talented interior lineman on the team. Newcomer Xzavier McLeod could impact the game as a nose tackle even as a freshman, and junior college transfer Elijah Davis has a very high ceiling as a player who could play inside or outside.
Regardless of who is “starting,” new defensive tackles coach Travian Robertson likely will rotate more guys at tackle than any position on the field, so four or five players will play a lot, and it could be more if Davis, Hemingway, or Sanders are also called on to help out at end. Robertson is taking over a unit that struggled at times in 2022, and they will be needed to take a leap for the defense.