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South Carolina Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions for Gamecocks

By Michael Hanich

Oct 10, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Kevin Harris (20) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Nick Muse (9) after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Kevin Harris (20) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Nick Muse (9) after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jaylan Foster (27) reacts after being called for pass interference on a pass intended for Missouri Tigers wide receiver Jalen Knox (9) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jaylan Foster (27) reacts after being called for pass interference on a pass intended for Missouri Tigers wide receiver Jalen Knox (9) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will the defense be able to perform consistently?

With Will Muschamp and former Auburn defensive backs coach Travarius Robinson leading the defense, there were high expectations. After two seasons of positive momentum in 2016 and 2017, their efficiency declined.

Last season, the defense was ranked 105th in the nation in points allowed per game (36), 97th in passing yards allowed per game (256.1) and 95th in rushing yards allowed per game (195.4). South Carolina ranked in the bottom half of college football in pass defense for the past four years.

In comes former Western Kentucky defensive coordinator Clayton White as the new defensive coordinator for USC. He has several stints with different schools after a three-year career in the NFL. His most recent and most successful coaching stint was his turnaround with the Hilltoppers’ defense for the past four seasons.

In 2019, the Hilltoppers’ defense was ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed per game (20.1) and 27th in passing yards allowed per game (199.6). This season, they were ranked 40th in points allowed per game (25.3) and ninth in passing yards allowed per game (164.8).

White has a lot of work to do with this Gamecocks’ defense that has potential but needs guidance to assure they are playing efficiently. They are set to lose seven consistent defensive starters for USC including three defensive backs to either the NFL draft or the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Senior safety Jaylan Foster is projected to return to South Carolina for the 2021 season. The Gamecocks will need his leadership and playability in a depleted secondary.

They are looking to have safety R.J. Roderick return to the team after opting out of the rest of 2020 when Mike Bobo took over as the interim coach. Another key area for White is to see if he can utilize highly-recruited defensive linemen like Jordan Burch and Zacch Pickens.