Despite suspensions, injuries, USC defensive line will be OK, coach says

By Joseph Person - The (Columbia) State

COLUMBIA -- Everybody seems concerned about South Carolina's depth at defensive line — everyone but the man who coaches the position.

Brad Lawing has heard the chatter about how suspensions and injuries have left USC vulnerable along its defensive front. And he has a decidedly different take than the skeptics.

“I've got more depth than I had several years ago,” Lawing said this week.

“I didn't have the players (then). I have players now.”

When Lawing joined Steve Spurrier's staff before the 2006 season, he inherited a defensive line group that included a pair of converted linebackers in Ryan Brown and Casper Brinkley, the enigmatic Stanley Doughty and a couple of promising young players in Nathan Pepper and Eric Norwood.

Lawing believes he has more talent to work with now. He will find out over the next few weeks.

With starting defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye suspended the first three games, starting defensive end Clifton Geathers injured and suspended indefinitely following a weekend incident in the Vista, and Pepper dealing with knee problems, several of the green defensive linemen will be thrown to the Wolfpack next week at N.C. State.

Redshirt freshman Devin Taylor is slated to start in Geathers' spot, junior Travian Robertson will take over for Ajiboye, while underclassmen Chaz Sutton, Byron McKnight and Kenny Davis all moved up a notch on the depth chart after Geathers' suspension.

And while the next snap Taylor, Sutton and Davis take in a game will be their first, Lawing said he would not dwell on the players missing the trip to Raleigh.

“I've been coaching a long time. I'm going to coach the guys that I've got,” said the 52-year-old Lawing. “These kids come out here and work hard. They try to respond to what we teach'em. You can't worry about that other stuff. You've got to move on.”

The Gamecocks are not without experienced players up front.

Cliff Matthews is a two-year starter at end, while Pepper's 26 career starts are the most among all USC players.

Lawing said concerns over Pepper's knee, which has undergone two surgeries, have been overblown. Pepper might not practice every day, but the fifth-year senior said he should be good for 50 snaps a game — essentially, an entire game.

“Depth is always something that you need, and it seems like we don't have as much as we had the last two years,” Pepper said. “But at the same time, we're ready to go out and play.”

Matthews, a junior from Cheraw, is one of the Gamecocks' most athletic players on defense. But the 6-foot-4, 249-pounder has not yet emerged as the pass-rushing force he was in high school, finishing with three sacks last season after recording none as a freshman.

Lawing thinks 2009 could be a breakthrough year for Matthews.

“You can't be 13th in the country in total defense and your guys that are playing for you not being doing something good,” Lawing said. “Cliff had a solid year last year and I hope he's going to make that jump and just have a great year this year. He's got the talent.”

Coaches believe Taylor, Ingram and the other young linemen have the talent, as well. They are about to gain experience, ready or not.

“I feel comfortable,” the 6-7, 240-pound Taylor said.

“Hopefully when the time comes I'll be able to step up and play hard.”

Pepper is hopeful, too.

“They're going to be ready,” he said. “They're going to have to play, so they'll either be ready or not play. That's pretty much how it'll go.”