In the upcoming season for South Carolina, one of the biggest question marks coming in is how the hole left by Skai Moore’s injury will be filled, and in particular, how the linebacking core will perform without their star.
Last season, Moore was the anchor to an otherwise suspect defense. Moore paced the Gamecocks with 111 tackles, the third-highest mark in the SEC. At the end of the season, Moore looked to be one of the top returning defensive players in the SEC before he suffered a herniated disc that forced him to redshirt and miss this entire season.
The play and leadership of Moore will be nearly impossible to replace with just one guy. But through the efforts of four players — T.J. Holloman, Jonathan Walton, Bryson Allen-Williams and Chris Moody — the hope is that the linebackers can once again be the dependable anchor of this team. Holloman, a returning captain who ranked third on the team in tackles last season, will be the leader of this defense. Expect him to line up at any of the linebacker positions, keeping offenses guessing and providing the versatile defender that the Gamecocks need to respond to the fast-paced, high-octane offenses employ in today's game.
Starting along with Holloman will be Walton and Allen-Williams. Both are upperclassmen with experience, since both saw action in every game of last season. Walton started six games for the Gamecocks last season where he was able to record 42 tackles. His game against Kentucky last season could provide insight in to the type of production we can expect this season, as he was able to record a team-high 11 tackles and was able to force a fumble in the eventual loss to the Wildcats.
Allen-Williams started only one game last year, but still contributed to the team. In a game against Vanderbilt from which Holloman was ejected, Allen-Williams was forced to fill in for him and was able to record three tackles and an interception. Look to Moody to provide some depth at the position should any players get hurt or need a breather throughout the course of the game.
Even without Moore commanding this defense, look for Holloman and the likes to be able to fill the large shoes left by the star's injury.