South Carolina Football: Early two-deep 2017 depth chart projection

Defensive Line

Starting Tackles: Taylor Stallworth, Ulrich Jones
Backups: Kobe Smith, Keir Thomas

The two starting DT need to play better, point-blank. Period. They have the size and talent to do it, but they just haven’t yet. Taylor Stallworth has been part of the team for his whole career and is only credited with 57 tackles and 18 starts. Ulrich Jones is a transfer from Bulter Community College in Kansas. Last year, he had 42 tackles and eight starts. If these two can play like the 300-pound seniors they are, the defense will improve leaps and bounds.

Sophomore Keir Thomas might actually see more starts in 2017 if either one of the starters aren’t pleasing Muschamp. In his freshman season, Thomas had 24 tackles, two sacks and two starts. While Kobe Smith is an upcoming player that played in 11 games and recorded four tackles.

These two will be the future of the positions in 2018.

Starting Ends: Dante Sawyer, Dennis Wonnum
Backups: Shameik Blackshear, Daniel Fennell

Just like the tackles, the ends need to play better in 2017. Dante Sawyer, a former East Mississippi C.C. player, has the potential to be a game-wrecker but has not shown it. 2017 needs to be his breakout season. At the other end position, Dennis “DJ” Wonnum will be coming off of a true freshman season where he recorded 32 tackles.

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Their backups Shameik Blackshear and Daniel Fennell are right behind them in the depth chart. The competition at the end position should lift the level of these four players. If Blackshear can get over his injury bug he can reach his potential and be in the backfield a lot in 2017.