Defensive Position Grades: South Carolina vs. Jacksonville State

South Carolina's football team had an up-and-down day on the defensive side of the ball, forcing turnovers, but still making too many mistakes.

The South Carolina defense had a mixed performance in their recent game against Jacksonville State. While they showed flashes of potential in certain areas, some glaring weaknesses must be addressed. In this article, we hand out position grades for the Gamecocks' defense coming out of their recent outing against Jacksonville State.

Defensive Line: C-

The defensive line had a challenging game against Jacksonville State's offensive scheme. They struggled to contain the opposing offense and were pushed back frequently. Although they made a few plays occasionally, their overall performance was underwhelming. The defensive line will need to work on their technique and ability to shed blocks to improve their effectiveness in future games.

Linebackers: C-

The linebackers had a relatively better performance compared to the defensive line. They showed improvement in both the run and passing game. Stone Blanton, in particular, consistently was in the right place. However, one area of concern was their tackling. Despite being in a position to make plays, they failed to finish tackles, allowing the opposing offense to gain additional yards after contact. The linebackers need to focus on their tackling technique and ensure they finish plays to prevent significant gains by the opposition moving forward.

Stone Blanton hitting Georgia QB Carson Beck (16th Sept., 2023) / Dale Zanine | USA Today Network

Secondary: C

The secondary had an average day, showing some improvement compared to previous outings. They did a decent job overall defending the pass, limiting the opposing offense to 196 passing yards. However, there were still instances where they gave up explosive plays that could have been prevented with better positioning and coverage. Allowing 15 yards per completed pass is a concern that needs to be addressed. The secondary must work on their communication and alignment to prevent such big plays in the future. 

Moving forward, the coaching staff must address these issues and work with the players to improve their overall performance on the defensive side of the ball. With proper adjustments and continued growth, South Carolina's defense has the potential to become more effective and impactful in future games.

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