South Carolina Football: 10 observations from fall practice so far
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s Fall Camp Observations:
New Gamecock defensive line coach Travian Robertson brings intensity and inspiration to the entire defensive front.
When speaking to reporters last week, redshirt junior defensive tackle Alex “Boogie” Huntley sang the praises of new defensive line coach Travian Robertson. He said about the former Gamecock star, “He’s done what I want to do. He is a D-lineman. He has been in these South Carolina seats. He’s been in those NFL seats. He knows the path. He knows what it takes. He brings that intensity every day.”
Robertson is taking over a defensive tackles group that has a lot of talent. However, even with NFL Draft pick Zacch Pickens starting every game a season ago, the unit struggled in 2022, especially against the run. Huntley and fellow 4th-year player Tonka Hemingway are expected to play big roles this season, but redshirt sophomore TJ Sanders has been very impressive this offseason.
Sanders won the Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring Award and will battle with Huntley, Elijah Davis, and big nose tackle Nick Barrett for the starting job next to Hemingway. True freshman Xzavier McLeod and redshirt freshmen Jamaal Whyce and Felix Hixon could factor into Robinson’s rotation.
Huntley also said that one of the best parts about being coached by Robinson is that he can both “tell us” and “show us” how to do things on the field. Robertson’s experience playing for the Gamecocks and in the NFL brings something to the table that not many other coaches can bring.
There has been some cross-training this offseason between the defensive tackle spots and the defensive end spots, largely due to depth concerns at end. Hemingway, Sanders, and Davis have all gotten snaps both inside and outside this fall, but it is unclear how much any of them may actually play at defensive end.