Clayton White pleased with South Carolina's defensive back play and progress made
There wasn’t much good to take away from South Carolina’s 27-3 loss to Ole Miss last Saturday. But the Gamecocks did see their defensive backs play well when they were put to the test.
“The guys stepped up and came in and played. We always had confidence in them,” defensive coordinator Clayton White said.
Redshirt senior O’Donnell Fortune has been a key part of South Carolina’s defense in his fifth year with the Gamecocks. Despite missing the second half of the Ole Miss game with an upper body injury, Fortune is expected to return again Alabama.
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“Feel great about O’Donnell playing this Saturday,” White said. “Just a little thing that had to get cleared up, but I think that he should be ready to go.”
Redshirt freshman Vicari Swain is one of the younger corners who has recorded playing time in every contest this season. However against the Rebels, Swain recorded no stats.
Stepping up in times of need, Judge Collier recorded three tackles, two solo and one assisted against the Rebels. As a sophomore, Collier has recorded seven total tackles thus far. He also broke up three passes going up against Ole Miss receiver and former Gamecock Juice Wells.
“The guys that came in, between Vicari and Judge, obviously Judge had a very productive football game,” White said.
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Redshirt sophomore Emory Floyd was another cornerback who saw field time against Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense. In the loss against the Rebels, Floyd recorded no stats.
“Emory came in, Emory slipped on the play but that’s life at corner,” White said. “One mistake can almost get you six points.”
Much like Ole Miss, the Alabama offense, specifically at wide receiver, should present many challenges for South Carolina’s secondary. But White is fully confident in what his players can do after what he saw last weekend.
“But I was proud of how those guys stepped up and they had the right look in their eyes,” White said. “As if they weren’t afraid, there were no wide eyedness stuff going on but I love how they attacked it.”
