Three Defensive Players To Watch: Furman

The week two opponent for South Carolina's Football team, the Furman Paladins, has multiple fundamentally-sound playmakers that could make an im

As kickoff draws near, we've identified three players on Furman's defense who could make a significant impact in South Carolina's Saturday night showdown against the Paladins. These seniors have demonstrated their abilities on the field and are expected to provide leadership and consistency to the Paladins' defense.

LB Braden Gilby

Braden Gilby, a senior linebacker for the Paladins, is a player who should be on every Gamecock fan's radar this weekend. Gilby led his team in tackles last season, emerging as a pivotal force on defense. His motor never stops, and he's seemingly everywhere on the field, making plays from all angles. Gilby also provides the ability to get after the quarterback when asked, recording three sacks last season. As a senior, his experience and leadership will be invaluable for Furman's defense.

S Hugh Ryan

Hugh Ryan, a senior safety hailing from Irmo, South Carolina, is another player to watch. He led his team last season in pass breakups and interceptions, demonstrating his ability to read the quarterback's eyes and make him pay for mistakes. High motor, experienced, and savvy are the best words to describe Ryan as a game-changing defensive back. His performance in week one is a testament to this, leading the team with 12 tackles. Expect to hear his name mentioned quite frequently on Saturday.

CB Travis Blackshear

Travis Blackshear, a senior cornerback for Furman, is the third player to watch. Blackshear has been consistent in his performances, recording 46 tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, and four pass breakups last season. His skill set has earned him back-to-back All-SoCon selections at cornerback. Blackshear's skillset could prove challenging for the Gamecocks' receiving core, who's looking for players to step up and support their banged-up No. 1 target, Juice Wells.

Stop me if you've heard this before, but this Furman team is very experienced and shouldn't be taken lightly. Each of these players brings a valuable skillset to Furman's defense. With their leadership and experience, the Paladins' defense will be a force to be reckoned with both this season and potentially on Saturday night against this Gamecock offense.

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