Right now the Gamecocks have three guys they feel good about on the front line, but after that they’re trying to bring along some young guys that are almost certainly going to have to play this season to have that desired six-man rotation.

To win in the SEC, it can take up to a six or seven-man rotation on the defensive line that can play at a high level.

“I’m not very comfortable at all right now with the depth but I’m very encouraged by the kids we have being able to develop them to where they can play some winning football for us,” defensive line coach Lance Thompson said. “I’d love to have six or seven guys but I’d like to eat three cheeseburgers, too.”

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They return their two starters from last season in Javon Kinlaw and Keir Thomas, both of who will slide back into those first-team roles at the beginning of the season.

Outside of that, Kobe Smith is firmly in the rotation with a few other guys rotating in and out. Freshmen Rick Sandidge and J.J. Enagbare are both taking turns with the second-team defensive line.

Right now, Thompson said there really isn’t a depth chart and said the coaches are trying to add “quality depth” this fall trying different combinations of players to see who will be able to fill the spots once the season starts.

“You look at Kinlaw and you look at Keir and you look at Kobe Smith and then you start talking about who’s next,” defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson said. “Who’s going to play next? I don’t know yet. That’s why camp is so important. You have to develop that part of our football team.”

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Enagbare has been on campus since January and went through spring practice with the team while Sandidge came in over the summer with his first taste of college football coming during camp.

It’s still a learning curve, but Thompson said he’s not trying to put any added pressure on his freshmen but they’re already being shown how to compete at a high level from a few players that have done it before.

“It’s expected,” Thomas said. “We try to hold those guys to a high level so they can come in and know what’s expected.”

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There are a few other players taking reps with the defensive line other than the two big freshmen. Shameik Blackshear and MJ Webb have also been taking reps in the defensive line rotation.

The Gamecocks are also hopeful that Josh Belk, who transferred in from Clemson will be granted a waiver that gives him immediate eligibility this season.

Regardless of who’s on the field, Thompson knows one thing: it’ll be the best players he has to work with.

“I want to have guys that can play winning football regardless. When I put you in the game, I have to depend on you and trust you. If I can depend on you and trust you, I’ll put you in. if I don’t? Just come over there and stand by me.”

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