South Carolina has one of the country’s most improved defenses this fall. The 2024 season is far from over, but the Gamecocks are averaging giving up about 130 fewer yards per game than they did in 2023. The team’s numbers against both the run and the pass are much better.

Arguably the biggest reason for the improvement is the step up the Carolina defensive line has taken. The Gamecocks are getting after the quarterback better than they have in years, and the deep rotation at defensive tackle has been solid against the run.

South Carolina football fans have been trying to tell the rest of the country how good the Gamecock defensive line is, and it seems like national voices are starting to agree.

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On Thursday, PFF’s Trevor Sikkema had high praise for the unit, saying, “South Carolina’s got the best defensive line in the country.”

The PFF analyst’s comments stem from elite defensive end play (especially against the pass) and well-balanced interior work.

Most of the conversation has centered around EDGE players Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart. However, TJ Sanders, Tonka Hemingway, DeAndre Jules, Boogie Huntley, Gilber Edmond, and Bryan Thomas, Jr. have been good, too.

As a whole, the defensive line has 12 sacks through four games. Last year, the group had 15.5 quarterback stops on the entire season. USC’s front is also on pace for 48 tackles for loss in the regular season, up from 31.5 in 2023.

Several of those names will be playing in the NFL next year. For now, though, defensive coordinator Clayton White’s unit has eight more regular season games to terrorize opposing offenses.

Their next opportunity comes on Saturday as the Ole Miss Rebels come to town. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN and the ESPN app.

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