Will Muschamp's arrival as coach at South Carolina presented immediate success for the Gamecocks. He helped get the Gamecocks out of the SEC cellar with a bowl appearance, found a hotshot young quarterback (finally) and was the brains behind a defense that wasn't great, but was light years better than the previous unit that ranked at the bottom of the SEC in just about everything.

For Muschamp to continue the program's upward momentum, he'll need that defense to stay the course. And while questions remain throughout, the biggest issue facing this unit heading into the summer months is whether or not this team will have adequate pass-rushing ability.

Despite the marked defensive improvement last year, getting to the quarterback wasn't exactly the strong suit of South Carolina's defense. A year after registering just 20 sacks, the Gamecocks improved on that number by just one in 2016. The Gamecocks will try to improve that number without sacks leader Darius English, who recorded nine last year and 13 tackles for loss. Fellow end Marquavius Lewis is also gone, as are his 1½ sacks and 5½ tackles for loss.

The first name that comes to mind on the replacement list is senior Dante Sawyer. Once touted as someone who could sneak into elite status for the Gamecocks, Sawyer has just 3½ sacks in two seasons with South Carolina. He has just not come close to living up to his potential, but with a starting spot wide open for him to slide into, this could be the year Sawyer finally breaks out and shows his potential.

South Carolina is looking for a breakthrough season from defensive lineman Dante Sawyer. Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire

Sophomore D.J. Wonnum, who earned defensive MVP honors this spring, backed up English at the Buck position last year and is the favorite to take his spot this fall. He really stood out as one of the Gamecocks' top overall performers this spring and it's almost his job to lose at the Buck position. As that hybrid defensive end/pass-rusher, Wonnum, who had 1½ sacks and 3½ tackles for loss last year, will have the ability to do a lot more than just run at QBs. He can drop back and play the run in space. Wonnum could really be the X-factor on defense for the Gamecocks.

After that, South Carolina is in total unknown territory. Wonnum and Sawyer aren't exactly locks at the moment, but they're the best right now and we aren't sure if that's a good thing or not. Experience and production is sorely missing here. Redshirt sophomore Danny Fennell, who is competing with Wonnum at the Buck spot, received some positive reviews this spring, but played in just six games last year and has one career tackle. Redshirt sophomore Shameik Blackshear and freshman M.J. Webb will also be in line as edge-rushers.

If push comes to shove, the Gamecocks could rely more on linebackers, such as Skai Moore and Bryson Allen-Williams, who had 8½ tackles for loss and two sacks last year.

The good news is that Muschamp signed four players who could come off of the edge for the Gamecocks this fall. Four-star ESPN 300 member Aaron Sterling could be the best of the bunch, as he can play both outside and inside. Three-star prospects Brad Johnson, Tyreek Johnson and Davonne Bowen will also have to accelerate their early development in Columbia.

Muschamp will eventually have the numbers and he thinks ha has some talent, but this group must have massive improvement in the production area for the Gamecocks defense to get off the ground this fall.