South Carolina's defense may look different overall, but its secondary will see many of its key contributors return this fall.
South Carolina’s defense is expected to look significantly different in 2025.
More than half of last year’s defensive starters have either run out of eligibility or are now playing professionally. South Carolina’s front seven (when not playing in a nickel package) was hit especially hard, with just two starters returning to Columbia this season.
The team’s secondary, however, saw only two of its most impactful players leave after the 2024 campaign. That continuity – and incoming veterans’ quick acclimation to South Carolina – makes Jalon Kilgore feel good about the current state of the Gamecocks’ defensive back room.
“The confidence has been very high. Especially going through practice and seeing a lot of guys get reps, good reps, bringing guys up,” Kilgore said. “Just us – me, Judge [Collier] and Vicari [Swain] – having that three years together, and Myles [Norwood] and [Brandon] Cisse seeing that chemistry we have, they just fill the pieces of the puzzle.”
Those puzzle pieces will have to fill large holes left behind by Nick Emmanwori and O’Donnell Fortune. Emmanwori is the more significant of the two losses, as he led South Carolina’s defense with 88 tackles and landed on four All-American First Teams last year (from the Associated Press, The Sporting News, the Reese’s Senior Bowl and College FB Nation). But Fortune also provided a steady presence at cornerback, appearing first on the depth chart in all 13 games.
Both players are now in the NFL – Emmanwori, a second-round pick with the Seattle Seahawks, and O’Donnell Fortune, an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. Kilgore said he hasn’t observed a significant drop-off in quality since their departures, though.
“We had guys like Nick that left, OD, but it’s not been a total fallout that you’ve seen. There haven’t been many big plays we’ve given up in practice,” Kilgore said. “There’s been plenty of guys that are making plays, just like last year.”
Emmanwori’s and Fortune’s departures will open the door for new and returning players alike to earn playing time. This offseason, the Gamecocks added veteran experience to the secondary via transfer portal commitments from Cisse and Norwood. Starting roles at South Carolina won’t be guaranteed, but they did start a combined 16 games (nine for Cisse at NC State, and seven for Norwood at Ball State) last year.
Cisse, specifically, said South Carolina’s returning players have helped make his transition into a new defensive unit more seamless.
“I would say the guys that came back – especially Jalon Kilgore, Judge Collier, Vicari Swain… Peyton Williams, DQ [Smith] – obviously, those guys are great to be around. They are honored just to be able to talk to you about anything. If you have any questions about scheme or anything like that, they’re there to help you.” Cisse said. “[I’m] glad to have those guys in my corner, and they help me out a lot.”
There is a chance that defensive backs whose contributions were limited last year could see their roles expand as well. Kilgore mentioned Williams and David Bucey as teammates who have made positive strides during preseason practice.
Bucey said he has seen himself improve in numerous areas as he prepares for his sophomore season with the Gamecocks.
“Going into the second year, I feel more confident with the playbook, obviously. [I’m] getting the feel for what Coach [Torrian] Gray and the standard is in the DB room,” Bucey said. “Understanding the technique and what Coach Gray expects from us technique-wise, I think that’s where I’ve grown the most.”
Kilgore said he also likes what he has seen from his brother, Gerald Kilgore, who played primarily on special teams in 2024.
“He’s definitely progressed a lot. [He’s] a whole new person,” Jalon Kilgore said. “[I’m] ready to see him ball out. He’s been doing great in practice, cleaning up the little things a little bit. And then, he’s been looking great running to the ball, making plays, getting picks.”
With so much change along South Carolina’s defensive line and in its linebacker room, the team will be looking for its defensive backs to be a source of stability during the early parts of the season. Kilgore said the secondary’s mindset heading into 2025 is now different from what it has been in past years.
“We just try to stick to the standard that we had last year and continue to be an elite defense,” Jalon Kilgore said. “We’re bringing in more guys from the transfer portal; we’re bringing more depth. And just bringing those guys along is just keeping going over the same standard.”
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Category: General Sports
