5 Reasons South Carolina Football Will Be Better on Defense in 2024:
Pass Rush Proficiency
The South Carolina Gamecocks finished tied for 101st in the country in sacks, bringing down the quarterback just 21 times last season. The 2024 defense has to be better at getting after opposing passers, and there is plenty of reason for optimism in that regard.
Despite the lack of sacks, the defense generated a lot of pressure (finishing in the top-5 in the league in quarterback hurries), meaning USC pass rushers did not complete plays enough in 2023. Those types of numbers should not repeat. Typically, high hurry numbers equal high sack totals and a high number of interceptions.
Gamecock EDGE players only tallied 7.5 sacks last year, and Jordan Strachan had 4 of them. That number is sure to be better in 2024 as the defensive end room is more talented, deeper, and healthier this fall. Not only does a better crop of defensive ends mean improved production from that position, but the loaded defensive tackle room should have more opportunities against single blockers, as well.
In the 3-3-5, linebackers are a big part of the pass rush game plan. This year's roster has more 'backers with enough size and athleticism to handle that part of the job than the Gamecocks have had in a long time.
Debo Williams, Bam Martin-Scott, Demetrius Knight, and Bangally Kamara have been named the "top-4" by defensive coordinator Clayton White, and all four of those players can be nightmares in the A-gap or come off the edge effectively. Younger linebackers like Jaron Willis, Fred "JayR" Johnson, and Wendell Gregory all can rush the passer, too.
Simply put, the Carolina defense should be better in 2024 because, on paper, this team can make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.