Position preview for South Carolina football in the spring: defensive tackle

The defensive tackle position in college football is often an overlooked aspect of a team’s success, but for the South Carolina Gamecocks, it plays a critical role in the defensive schemes and overall team performance. As the spring practices approach in 2025, all eyes will be on how the Gamecocks prepare for the upcoming season, with the defensive tackle position representing both a challenge and an opportunity for the team. With new players entering the program, returning talent looking to take the next step, and the coaching staff implementing schemes designed to maximize the potential of their personnel, spring practice provides a key opportunity to evaluate the depth and development of this critical position.

In this preview, we will take a deep dive into the current landscape of the South Carolina football defensive tackle group heading into spring 2025. We’ll break down returning players, new faces, expected starters, potential depth, key position battles, and how the position fits into the overall defensive scheme. Additionally, we will look at the specific expectations and goals for the defensive tackle group during spring practice.

Overview of the Defensive Tackle Position

Defensive tackle is one of the most physically demanding positions on the football field. Positioned between the offensive line and the linebackers, defensive tackles are tasked with disrupting the quarterback, stopping the run, and occupying blockers to allow the rest of the defense to make plays. It’s a high-contact position, with players often facing double teams, battling in the trenches, and playing with both power and quickness. For the Gamecocks, a dominant defensive tackle group is essential for both improving the overall defensive performance and creating opportunities for the rest of the defense.

In the 2024 season, the Gamecocks struggled in certain aspects of run defense, particularly when it came to consistency in the interior of the defensive line. While there were flashes of brilliance from individual players, the group as a whole needed more cohesion and execution against both the run and the pass rush. The coaching staff will be looking for greater stability and depth along the defensive line as they head into the spring, which will set the foundation for the fall campaign.

Returning Players and Key Contributors

The South Carolina defensive tackle group for spring 2025 will be anchored by a mix of returning players with experience at the collegiate level. These players will be tasked with leading the charge and providing stability while younger players work to gain experience and carve out roles for themselves.

1. Jordan Burch (Senior) – Burch, a highly touted recruit, enters his senior year with the Gamecocks after a solid career that has included flashes of excellence. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 270 pounds, Burch possesses the physical tools to be a disruptive force along the defensive line. He has spent the past few years developing into a more consistent player, and 2025 could be his breakout year. His combination of size, speed, and power will be a key asset for the Gamecocks as they look to bolster their interior line play.
2. Tonka Hemingway (Senior) – Hemingway, another experienced player who will return in 2025, brings both leadership and versatility to the defensive tackle position. At 6’3″ and 285 pounds, he has the strength to battle in the trenches but also the mobility to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. In the 2024 season, Hemingway flashed as a capable pass rusher while also being a stout presence in stopping the run. In 2025, he is expected to be one of the pillars of the Gamecocks’ defensive line.
3. Alex Huntley (Junior) – Huntley enters spring practice as one of the most experienced players in the unit, with multiple starts under his belt. Known for his strong work ethic and physical presence, Huntley’s size (6’4”, 310 pounds) allows him to command double teams and clog up the middle of the line. His primary focus during the spring will likely be improving his pass-rushing skills and becoming a more disruptive force in the backfield.
4. Zacch Pickens (Junior) – Another player who has garnered significant playing time, Pickens will look to build on his past performances and grow into a more consistent presence for South Carolina. At 6’3″, 290 pounds, Pickens has the ideal body for a defensive tackle, and his ability to make plays in the backfield makes him a strong candidate to take the next step as a pass rusher.

Newcomers and Young Talent

While the returning players provide a solid foundation, South Carolina’s defensive tackle group will be bolstered by new additions who will challenge for playing time and potentially make an immediate impact. The coaching staff is also excited about the development of younger players who could emerge as key contributors in the upcoming season.

1. Nick Barrett (Freshman) – Barrett comes to South Carolina as a highly rated defensive tackle recruit. Standing at 6’4” and 305 pounds, Barrett possesses the size and physicality to play early in his career. His raw talent, combined with his ability to play with power and leverage, makes him a name to watch throughout the spring.
2. Landon Henry (Sophomore) – Henry has spent the previous season learning the ropes, and now he’s ready to push for significant playing time in 2025. At 6’2” and 290 pounds, he brings an explosive first step and high motor, making him an intriguing piece for the defensive tackle rotation. During the spring, he will look to refine his technique and become more consistent in his play.
3. Tyler Jones (Freshman) – Another young prospect, Jones enters the spring with plenty of hype as a pass-rush specialist. While he may not have the prototypical size of some of his counterparts, standing at 6’2″ and 280 pounds, Jones’ speed and quickness off the line make him a natural pass-rushing threat from the interior of the defensive line. His development over the spring could make him a key situational player for South Carolina.

Position Battles and Depth Chart Projections

The spring practices will feature several intense position battles for starting spots and key roles within the rotation. While some positions appear to be locked up, others remain fluid as players vie for playing time and the coaching staff seeks to find the best combination of talent and performance.

1. Starting Defensive Tackle Pair – Heading into the spring, it’s likely that Burch and Hemingway will be the first-choice starters. Their experience, combined with their ability to play both the run and the pass, makes them the most established players in the group. However, the coaching staff is likely to experiment with different combinations, especially in passing situations, to find the best starting duo.
2. Depth Behind the Starters – Behind Burch and Hemingway, there will be competition for the next spots in the rotation. Huntley, Pickens, and Barrett will likely battle for those key reserve roles. With Barrett and Pickens both having the potential to play substantial minutes, the defensive tackle depth will become a key point of emphasis in the spring. Depth in the interior line is vital for maintaining fresh legs throughout the course of a game and season.
3. Pass-Rush Specialist Role – One area of focus for South Carolina in 2025 will be developing a pass-rush specialist from the interior. Players like Henry and Jones will have the chance to prove themselves in this role, as the Gamecocks look to add another dynamic element to their defensive line. Whether as a starter or a situational player, creating pressure up the middle will be a top priority.
4. Development of Young Players – Spring practice will also be an important time for younger players to step up and gain the trust of the coaching staff. Players like Barrett and Henry will look to establish themselves as key pieces of the future, while the staff will continue to work on refining their technique and building their physical conditioning to be ready for the next level.

Coaching Staff and Defensive Scheme

The Gamecocks are entering the 2025 season with an experienced coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Clayton White, who has done a solid job of developing talent on the defensive line. South Carolina’s defensive scheme is primarily based on a 4-3 base alignment, with an emphasis on aggressive, gap-controlling play. The defensive tackles are expected to not only clog up running lanes but also create pressure up the middle, allowing the linebackers and edge rushers to make plays.

One area where the defensive tackles could be pivotal is in creating a disruptive front. White will likely experiment with different line combinations during the spring to find the best mix of run-stopping ability and pass-rushing potential. Developing an aggressive pass-rush from the interior line will be a focal point, as this can create chaos in the backfield and force opposing quarterbacks into mistakes.

Spring Practice Goals for Defensive Tackles

1. Refining Technique – One of the biggest focuses for the defensive tackles during the spring will be refining their hand placement, pad level, and disengagement from blockers. These fundamentals are crucial for disrupting plays, whether against the run or in the pass rush. The Gamecocks’ defensive line coach will emphasize the importance of getting low and staying balanced in their movements.
2. Developing Pass-Rush Moves – South Carolina’s defensive tackles need to become more consistent at generating pressure on the quarterback. With a lack of elite edge-rushers, the Gamecocks will look to their interior players to step up and create more disruption in the pocket.
3. Building Depth – While the starters are important, the defensive tackle position relies heavily on depth, especially over the course of a long season. Players like Pickens, Huntley, Barrett, and Henry will be tasked with building that depth and earning more significant roles within the rotation.
4. Improving Run Defense – Stopping the run will always be a priority for the Gamecocks’ defensive tackles. With the strength and size of their returning players, stopping opposing offenses from gaining yards on early downs will be a primary goal during the spring.

As the South Carolina Gamecocks head into spring practice for 2025, the defensive tackle position stands as one of the most crucial areas for growth and improvement. With a combination of experienced upperclassmen and talented newcomers, the defensive tackles have the potential to be a strength of the defense. Spring practices will provide an opportunity to refine skills, build chemistry, and compete for starting roles, setting the stage for a pivotal season ahead. Through strong play in the trenches, the Gamecocks will be able to disrupt opposing offenses, control the line of scrimmage, and take another step toward achieving their goals in the SEC.