South Carolina Football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

HARRISONBURG, VA - May 02: Antwane Wells Jr. #81 of the James Madison Dukes catches a pass in front of Caleb Nelson #22 of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half of the NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship Quarterfinal game at Bridgeforth Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Dec 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jordan Burch (3) tries to evade North Carolina Tar Heels offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu (75) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jordan Burch, DE

With Kingsley Enagbre off to the NFL, South Carolina is going to need someone to step up as the top pass rusher and overall player on defense. The guy to do that might be defensive end Jordan Burch. He had 26 tackles and one sack last season, but there is a belief that Burch’s best football might be in front of him in his junior season.

Burch came to South Carolina as one of the most hyped recruits since Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Gamecocks. It’s hard for South Carolina to pull five-star defensive linemen and he was thought to be an instant impact player from the day he set foot on campus. He has been a valuable backup but has not had a monster season that is talent level suggested out of high school.

There needs to be someone to step up on this defensive in the front seven and Burch is the most talented guy to do that. If he puts it all together this season, then opposing offenses should be worried.