32 days until South Carolina football, a look at number 32, linebacker Mo Kaba

South Carolina football is 32 days away from the start of their 2024 season. The Gamecocks have a chance to be an improved team this fall, and if that potential is to become reality, Shane Beamer's team will be counting on a large group of transfer portal players.

The linebacker position group brought in two new players as Demetrius Knight (Charlotte 49ers) and Bangally Kamara (Pittsburgh Panthers) joined the team this offseason. Knight and Kamara will join Debo Williams, Bam Martin-Scott, and Jaron Willis in the linebacker rotation this season.

However, there is a sometimes-forgotten name who could be a factor.

Mo Kaba, originally a member of the 2020 South Carolina football recruiting class, is back this year. He is coming off of back-to-back torn ACLs in 2022 and 2023 and has been working relentlessly to be ready for the 2024 season.

Until fall practice begins at the end of this week, no one outside of the program can know if Kaba will be ready for the start of the season. If he is healthy, #32 likely will play in a backup role behind Debo Williams at Mike linebacker.

Back in 2020, Kaba was a Freshman All-SEC performer, and he made several preseason All-SEC teams ahead of 2022 and 2023. If he can return somewhat close to that form, he will be a valuable contributor for Clayton White's defense.

South Carolina's defense is expected to rotate a lot of players on and off the field in the front-7 this fall. Whether in the 4-2-5 or the 3-3-5, the Gamecock roster has significantly more depth on the defensive line and at linebacker. This means that Kaba and the rest of the players fighting for snaps in two-deep on defense can be confident in seeing the field if they are healthy.

Mo Kaba and the South Carolina football team will begin their season on August 31st at 4:15 PM ET when the Old Dominion Monarchs travel to Columbia in week 1.