South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock scores defensive touchdown in close victory

South Carolina football alum DJ Wonnum was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and has been a solid contributor for the franchise for four seasons as a part-time starter. Wonnum, a combo defensive end/outside linebacker, was in consideration for the Pro Bowl in 2021.

On Sunday, against the Carolina Panthers (likely with a lot of South Carolina football fans in attendance), Wonnum had one of his best moments as a pro.

In a game in which his Vikings were trailing Carolina 7-13, and the home Panthers were threatening to take a commanding lead as they were driving inside the 30 yard line. Eagle-eyed Gamecocks may have noticed that former South Carolina tight end great Hayden Hurst was in on the play but was asked to run a route instead of block, a decision the Panthers would regret.

On a 2nd down pass play, veteran safety Harrison Smith forced a fumble from rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Wonnum, who had beaten his man and gotten into the backfield, as well, scooped up the loose football and rumbled for 51 yards to paydirt. It was his first touchdown since his high school tight end days.

The play came at a huge moment for the Vikings. If the Panthers scored to go up by two scores, it may have been too much for a struggling Minnesota offense to overcome. Instead, what could have been a commanding lead for the Panthers turned into a lead for the Vikings as Wonnum and Smith combined for the biggest play of the season for the Vikings. He also had a sack in the game.

Wonnum’s Vikings were 0-3 heading into the contest. The win was enormous for their playoff hopes as only one 0-4 team in league history has made it to the postseason. In contrast, just since the year 2002, 11 teams have made the postseason after starting 1-3. Wonnum’s play could change the entire season for the Vikings.

During DJ Wonnum’s South Carolina football career, he made two All-SEC teams and the Freshman All-SEC team despite battling injuries for much of his time in Columbia. If not for those injuries, Wonnum might have been able to turn his great career into an all-time great one in garnet and black.