South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White named Broyles Award semifinalist
On Tuesday, South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, an honor given to the top assistant coach in all of college football.
White’s unit was one of the most improved in the country this season. The Gamecocks rank among the best in the sport in a number of defensive categories, including total defense, rush defense, pass defense, scoring defense, tackles for loss, sacks, turnovers forced, and 3rd-down and 4th-down defensive efficiency.
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From the South Carolina Athletics press release:
University of South Carolina defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Clayton White is one of 15 semifinalists for the 29th annual Broyles Award, which recognizes the college football’s top assistant coach, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced today.
White, who is in his fourth year at South Carolina, has put together a veteran defensive unit that is one of the best in college football. The Gamecocks brought back eight returning starters, led by All-SEC linebacker Debo Williams, a trio of defensive tackles in Alex Huntley, Tonka Hemingway and T.J. Sanders, and safety Nick Emmanwori, a projected first round draft pick. White supplemented that group with a pair of Edge rushers in senior transfer Kyle Kennard, a finalist for both the Lombardi and Nagurski Awards, and true freshman Dylan Stewart, a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, along with play-making linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.
With experience and depth at all three levels, the Gamecocks rank among the nation’s top-25 in scoring defense (14th), total defense (16th), rushing defense (16th), team passing efficiency defense (16th), sacks (3rd), tackles for loss (21st), 3rd-down defense (25th), 4th-down defense (5th), turnovers gained (16th) and fumbles recovered (20th).
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White’s defense has helped propel the Gamecocks to six-straight wins, including four over ranked opponents, and a 9-3 record overall. They are ranked 13th in this week’s Associated Press poll and 12th in the AFCA Coaches’ poll, their highest ranking since 2014.
A selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters, and a committee representing the Football Writers Association of America narrowed the list of 65 nominees to 15 semi-finalists. Five finalists will be selected from this list. Then an overall winner will be named.
The 2023 Broyles Award winner was Phil Parker, who is the defensive coordinator at Iowa. Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated for the Broyles Award until the completion of three seasons.
The Broyles Award is presented by Oaklawn, Hot Springs, Arkansas and will take place at Oaklawn on February 13th, 2025. Proceeds from the 2024 Broyles Award support the mission of the Broyles Foundation: to provide a game plan through education, support, and resources to Alzheimer’s caregivers. The Broyles Foundation can be followed on Facebook, X and Instagram.
