Sutton among veterans emerging as leaders for USC’s young defense
South Carolina’s football team was back to practice Tuesday after taking a week off for spring break.
“No casualties from the beach,” joked defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward.
After the Gamecocks’ third practice of the spring, the coaches emphasized the internal competition they have promoted within the defense. As players fight for starting jobs, coaches say veteran leadership has helped newer players learn about the defense and adjust to their roles.
Linebackers and spurs coach Kirk Botkin said there is currently no real depth chart because competition brings out the best in every player.
“Nothing is etched in stone,” defensive line coach Deke Adams said. “Those guys need to know they need to come out and work and prove themselves every day.”
Adams said there is always a core group of starters, but few are guaranteed to keep that role. Redshirt junior J.T. Surratt is currently a starter at defensive tackle, along with junior defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles. But other players, including redshirt sophomore Gerald Dixon Jr., could still make a bid to be a starter.
Quarles started all 11 games he played last year, and he has focused on making plays in the backfield and becoming a better leader in spring practice. After watching tape from each of his performances last year, he felt he left a lot of plays on the field that he could have made.
When asked if he could replace outgoing defensive back D.J. Swearinger’s leadership, Quarles said no one can fully take his place, but there are similarities between them.
“Coming from the same school and the same atmosphere, we both play with the same swagger,” Quarles said. He added that he will do whatever it takes to get the job done, even “a little yelling and hollering.”
Redshirt junior cornerback Victor Hampton was among the more vocal players at practice Tuesday, shouting comments to teammates after plays in the scrimmage at the end of practice. Hampton said he has tried to go out of his way to be a leader for younger teammates.
“I didn’t have much of that when I first came, and I feel like if I can help them with little things, it will help them perform better on the field,” Hampton said.
Adams said redshirt junior defensive end Chaz Sutton is another veteran whose maturity has helped set a more serious tone for the newer players.
Sutton played in all 13 of South Carolina’s games last season, starting once, but he is competing for a position as a starter at defensive end.
“We have a lot of young guys, so sometimes it can get a little playful,” Adams said. “But [Sutton] is the guy that brings authority back to the room so that sometimes I don’t have to do it.”
The coaching staff will rely on veterans to help new players progress throughout spring practice.
“You know the bananas that are green and you don’t pick them yet?” Botkin said. “That’s kind of what these guys are. They’re just green. We have to get them ripe pretty fast.”