Arguably the deepest position group on the South Carolina football roster is defensive tackle. After struggling to recruit high school talent to the position for a couple of offseasons, the Gamecocks went out into the transfer portal to bring in quality players to partner with the three incumbents at the tackle spot.
The additions of Deandre Jules (Pittsburgh Panthers), Monkell Goodwine (Alabama Crimson Tide), and Jerome Simmons (Highland Community College Scotties) will allow the returning trio of TJ Sanders, Tonka Hemingway, and Alex "Boogie" Huntley to get the rest they need in order to play at 100% as long as possible.
With the season's opening kickoff 95 days away, #95 (Huntley) will be in line for a huge role as a senior with the program.
Huntley played his high school ball in Columbia at the Hammond School for former Gamecock Erik Kimrey, and he has given his all for the South Carolina football program ever since arriving on campus. In 2023, the big man the Gamecock defensive tackles in snaps at the position (Sanders and Hemingway were close behind but also played some at defensive end when the Gamecocks shifted to the 3-3-5).
Huntley is a full-time defensive tackle, and he has played several roles within that position during his USC career.
Despite being listed under 300 pounds for most of his career (he is tipping the scales at 301 heading into this summer), Huntley has been asked to play a fair amount of nose tackle during his time, a role that he has attacked with maximum effort despite being a little smaller than many others who play the spot. He has also played kicked out to a 3-technique, too.
#95 is not just an effort player, though: Huntley produces well for the Gamecocks. In fact, against Mississippi State last season, his 2-sack and 2-passes deflected effort against the Bulldogs netted him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.He lived in the backfield that night, pressuring MSU quarterback Will Rogers eight times.
Huntley finished the 2023 season in the top-5 on the team in both tackles for loss and sacks.
Boogie Huntley has been a captain for the Gamecocks, as well, and his leadership will go a long way for the Carolina defense, just like his play on the field. Defensive tackles coach Travian Robertson will have the (good) problem of needing to rotate through a large group of contributors at his position, and having a personality like Huntley's in the room can only help keep things running smoothly.
With 95 days to go before toe meets leather against the Old Dominion Monarchs, summer workouts and fall camp still stand in the way of the start of the season, but South Carolina football fans can't wait to see what Huntley and the Gamecocks have in store for them in the 2024 campaign.