South Carolina Football: 10 players the Gamecocks will need to see step up after the Bye Week

10 players South Carolina Football must have step up after the Bye Week:
Defensive Lineman Tonka Hemingway

A number of Gamecocks received some offseason love in the form of preseason All-SEC team selections. Quarterback Spencer Rattler, wide receiver Juice Wells (who has been injured), and the specialists (punter Kai Kroeger, kicker Mitch Jetter, and long snapper Hunter Rogers) were the most obvious inclusions.

However, several other players also were picked to at least one preseason All-SEC team. One of these “other” players was versatile defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway.

Hemingway has never had a great season in garnet and black as injuries, inconsistent playing time, and log jams up front have limited his ability to rack up statistics. However, he has flashed some impressive moments in the past, both as a pass rusher and as a run stopper (and even catching passes on special teams).

So far in 2023, big Tonka has been fine. Coming out of the Bye Week, the Gamecocks will need Hemingway to be better than fine for a defensive front that hasn’t been good enough so far this season. TJ Sanders has been the best player up front for the Gamecocks on defense, and Jordan Strachan and Boogie Huntley have had some good moments.

It’s time for Tonka Hemingway to take his place as the top player on the defensive line. His ability to play end at times should allow for plenty of snaps for Sanders and Huntley inside, but #91 will be needed to step up into being the player South Carolina football fans know he can be.