South Carolina Gamecocks Football: 2015 Season Preview and Prediction

Dec 27, 2014; Shreveport, LA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) and linebacker Jonathan Walton (28) celebrate after an interception by Walton in the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2014 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Outlook

South Carolina’s two defensive coordinators situation will be interesting to watch this season. The cliché says that two heads are better than one, but you never know in college football.

With that being said, major improvement on defense is expected. Jon Hoke, the newly added defensive coordinator, wants the Gamecocks defense to lead the league in effort and has instilled that in his players since spring. Last year, the Gamecocks had 14 total sacks on the entire season and that abysmal number could be attributed to a lack of that effort. But perhaps the biggest problem on defense that showed up again and again was the lack of leadership in that unit.

This should change in 2015. Linebacker Skai Moore accounted for 56 solo tackles last season and three interceptions; he has the potential to be an explosive defensive player that elevates his fellow teammates’ performance to the next level.

Linebacker Jonathan Walton will also be right up there with Moore. Junior college transfer Marquavius Lewis has been widely talked about as just what the South Carolina defense needed to improve its pass rush. And according to Bleacher Report, safety T.J. Gurley could very well become USC’s defensive MVP. Gurley had the second most tackles on the team last year, broke up four passes, and at one interception.

Back when South Carolina’s current defensive players were still a recruitment class, many considered it one of the strongest and most talented. Now it’s time to see what these players can really do.

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