The Gamecocks’ defensive front struggled mightily last season, surrendering an average of 111.08 yards per game and recording only 21 sacks, numbers that placed the unit near the bottom of the SEC.
A New Era for the Defensive Line
This year, the coaching staff has pinned its hopes on a revamped edge rush that could rewrite the narrative.
At the center of the revival is Dylan Stewart, a premier edge rusher who missed much of the previous campaign due to injury but is now fully healthy and poised to make an immediate impact.
If Stewart stays on the field, his pass‑rush production could reach double‑digit sack totals, putting him in the conversation with Jadeveon Clowney, whose 13‑sack single‑season mark still stands as the program’s benchmark.
Adding to the mix is true freshman Julian Walker, a top‑100 recruit in the 2026 class whose blend of speed and technique has already drawn praise from veterans. Coach Will Muschamp has said Walker’s athleticism will be a late‑season weapon, especially in situations where the opposition looks to neutralize Stewart.
The supporting cast also brings experience and depth. Drew Collins, who logged 3.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in his second year at Arkansas State, returns with a proven knack for disrupting quarterbacks. Caleb Herring, a former four‑star prospect who made a splash against a top‑10 Georgia team, is expected to translate that disruptive energy into more consistent performances.
Other contributors such as Jaquavious Dodd, Kobby Sakyi‑Prah, George Wilson Jr. and Anthony Addison are slated to see increased snaps, giving the unit the breadth it lacked a year ago. Together, they aim to lift South Carolina back to the defensive standards it enjoyed during its 2024 SEC run.