During Tuesday’s press conference, Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer took the time to highlight his defense after training camp, specifically talking about the linebacker squad.
South Carolina will rely on its experienced defense in the 2024 season. Coach Beamer beamed as he talked about his linebackers and how they can make an impact this year.
“We are stronger and definitely more athletic than last year,” said Coach Beamer about his linebacker team. “They can all attack the passer. They can all run, they can all cover.”
Bam Martin-Scott is entering his fourth year with the South Carolina program, and his physical skills and play have coaches expecting big things in 2024.
“He’s ready for a great year,” Coach Beamer said of his sixth year as a linebacker. “He’s put himself on the radar of NFL teams. Last year he just gained confidence on defense and did what we asked him to do. He’s very athletic, can play from the sideline to the sideline, has size and is good on special teams. I think he’s ready for a really great year.”
Debo Williams is the leader of the linebackers. Coaches and players know Debo as the tone-setting player who flies around to make plays. Coach Beamer tells a funny story from practice where Debo and Arkansas transfer Raheim Sanders went head to head on a drill.
“We had a play in practice today where he and Rocket (Raheim Sanders) were one-on-one in a hole. Rocket dropped his shoulder and Debo will say the defender threw him off track. I saw the running back drop his shoulder and shake Debo up a little bit, so I definitely let him know about it.”
The Gamecocks’ star linebacker apparently did not like this, as he played like a “madman” from then on.
“He obviously didn’t enjoy it because he acted like a madman the next three plays,” Coach Beamer said. “TJ Sanders came to me and said, ‘That’s what you did, challenging him on the first play.'” That’s just the way he is. He loves to play. You see the violence he brings to the football field.”
The linebacker staff will have a huge impact on how well the defense performs overall in 2024. Fans will be able to see this defense in action when the Gamecocks open the season in ten days on August 31 against Old Dominion.
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