The Gamecocks get essentially a free agent pick-up this fall in the return of RS Sr. Skai Moore. Moore, who is returning from a neck injury, looks to give this LB core a huge boost. He should bring a veteran presence and provide play-making ability to the defense.

South Carolina loses two starters from last year’s group in TJ Holloman and Jonathan Walton. However, this unit should be much improved. Along with Moore, the Gamecocks return Bryson Allen-Williams for his senior campaign. So. TJ Bruson also returns and has caught nothing but praise from the coaching staff in fall camp. Beyond the starting three is where the question marks begin. The Gamecocks don’t have anyone beyond those three that has played a snap in the SEC.

Meet The Linebackers…

LB – #4 Bryson Allen-Williams, Sr / #29 Antoine Wilder, Soph

LB – #6 TJ Brunson, Soph / #10 Skai Moore

LB – #10 Skai Moore, Sr / #4 Bryson Allen-Williams

*Bold denotes starters

Most to Prove…

Bryson Allen-Williams. BAW has had an overall solid career in his three years wearing the garnet and black. This year, however, he needs to take it to a new level. The Sr. from Ellenwood, GA should be one of the biggest threats on the South Carolina defense. He will switch time between LB and BUCK, where Will Muschamp and company will use him in different looks in order to get pressure on the QB and cause havoc for the defense. Look for the return of Skai Moore to help out with pre-snap alignment and learning from one of the best. With the DL being a question, Allen-Williams will need to come into his own and make a big difference in pass rushing situations. His emotion and tenacity stand out and he’ll need to channel that into having his best year as a Gamecock.

Best Overall…

Skai Moore. All he did in his three years of starting was lead South Carolina in tackles each and every season. He is also a play-maker, ranking 2nd in all time INT’s with 11. While Moore sat out last season with a neck issue, he is running around full speed and is 100% according to everyone around the program. I fully expect Moore to return to his previous form and be a leader on this Gamecocks defense. Not only should Moore have a great year, but his return will make everyone around him on this defense better. If he stays healthy, Moore will have a long career beyond his days wearing the garnet and black.

Season Will Be Successful If…

I got that beast in my eyes im like Tyson 😤 ❗️ pic.twitter.com/s7ghqPQAkU — TJ Brunson (@6runson) February 27, 2017

Stay healthy. The only issue with South Carolina’s linebacker core is their depth. Beyond the trio of Moore, Brunson, and Allen-Williams, the Gamecocks don’t have a player who has taken a snap in the SEC. There is talent with players such as JUCO transfer Eldridge Thompson and highly regarded Fr. Brad Johnson. The Gamecocks will need those guys to play in more of a supporting role than putting all of their chips on the young guns. As long as this unit can stay healthy, they should be able to develop a solid rotation and be one of the best LB cores in the SEC.

Overall Grade…

You can see that hunger in my eyes …. pic.twitter.com/goQOlnkGtc — Bryson Allen-Wms (@B_Quatro4) April 13, 2017

A+. Anytime you get a player like Skai Moore back, your defense is going to improve substantially. Moore doesn’t only make this unit better. He makes the entire defense better. Bryson Allen-Williams has caught rave reviews in pre-season camp and should have his best year at Carolina in his senior season. TJ Bruson seems to be the forgotten third man behind the aforementioned Moore and BAW. He has caught nothing from praise from the coaching staff and should benefit tremendously playing alongside his veteran counterparts. While depth could be an issue, this group certainly does not lack talent beyond the starting three, and having someone like Skai Moore to lead them should pay off huge dividends. Look for this unit to lead the defense and be among the best in the SEC once the year comes to a close.

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