Sticking with the theme of defensive line struggles, the interior has been a problem for the Gamecocks. 2016 reflected that, as South Carolina gave up 203.5 YPG rushing. The Gamecocks finished 90th in the country in rush defense and will look to improve on that number in Year 2 of the Will Muschamp era.

The Gamecocks lose Kelsey Griffin from last year’s squad, but do return two veterans in Taylor Stallworth and Ulric Jones. Muschamp has made it clear in pre-season camp that South Carolina will need both to have a great year in order for this defensive line to flourish.

Meet The Defensive Tackles…

DT – #90 Taylor Stallworth, Sr / #97 Kobe Smith, Soph

DT – #93 Ulric Jones, Sr / #97 Kobe Smith, Soph

*Bold denotes starters

Most To Prove…

Ulric Jones. The senior has had an up and down career with the Gamecocks. A highly touted recruit, Jones career has been nothing less of interesting. Upon his arrival, he was one of the best Gamecock DL in fall camp in 2015, before a move by the previous coaching staff moved him to tight end. Eventually, he was converted back to the DL and settled in at the tackle spot. Now in year two under Will Muschamp’s system, look for Ulric Jones to step up this fall and prove why he was the highly touted recruit out of JC. His senior season should be his best in the garnet and black.

Best Overall…

Taylor Stallworth. Last season was Stallworth’s first season fully healthy since he stepped on campus and it showed. He was a force up front, accumulating 41 tackles, three TFL, and three pass break-ups. Overall, he was by far the most dominant inside presence the Gamecocks last fall. Stallworth has caught much praise in pre-season camp, being described by DL Coach Lance Thompson as a “big time SEC defensive lineman.” This unit will rely on Stallworth to have an even bigger senior campaign and be a leader for this DL unit.

Season Will Be Successful If…

Stop The Run. I know, I know. Easier said than done. The Gamecocks haven’t given up less than 200 YPG average rushing in a season since 2013. The SEC is a line of scrimmage league. In order for this defense to make strides, the defensive line will have to show improvement and improve on those rushing statistics. One young player to watch for will be DT Javon Kinlaw. Listed at 6’6″ and 305 pounds, Kinlaw is a mammoth sized human being and should provide girth for the Gamecocks in the middle. It will be up to the two veterans in Ulric Jones and Taylor Stallworth to have their best season’s at South Carolina.

Overall Grade…

C. DL Taylor Stallworth is a really player and should have a fantastic senior campaign. After that, it’s a bit of uncertainty for South Carolina. Can Ulric Jones finally be the player the Gamecocks recruited him to be? How much of an impact can Javon Kinlaw make so early in his Gamecock career. Can a guy like Kobe Smith step up and provide valuable depth. Coach Muschamp has praised his first unit defense and seems pleased with the play of Jones and Stallworth. After that, it becomes a little fuzzy. Look for South Carolina’s numbers to improve in 2017, but not by much.

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