Torrian Gray on South Carolina's DB depth: 'We're as strong as we've been'
Throughout his time at South Carolina, defensive backs coach Torrian Gray has always been able to develop talent. That’s been proven evident with multiple younger players coming in and playing well right away.
But for the first time, Gray feels he has something that hadn’t always been there for him. He’s had some strong defensive backs, but now, he has more depth at the position.
“When Nick (Emmanwori) and DQ (Smith) played as true freshmen, we didn’t have great depth. When Jalon (Kilgore) came in, we were still trying to fit our pieces in as a secondary,” Gray told GamecockCentral. “So now that all those guys are in the secondary at the same time, for the true freshmen coming in, it’s not going to be as easy (to play).”
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In the secondary this season, the Gamecocks have O’Donnell Fortune at one of the two starting cornerback spots. Who could be at the other? Judge Collier and Emory Floyd are potential and candidates. At the safety spots, Emmanwori and Smith are both back and have been starters for the last two seasons. Kilgore, a first-team Freshman All-American last year, is the returning starter at nickelback.
“Right now, I feel on the defensive back end, we’re as strong as we’ve been,” Gray said. “When I got here, we inherited so many talented guys, but then when you have a coaching change, there’s probably going to be a lack of depth. But those guys have played great for us. And now we’re able to have some talented guys for the first time with some depth. So I really like where this group is at.”
But as is always the case, injuries happen and can quickly change what the depth chart may look like. For this year, though, Gray is confident he has enough talented players to step up if needed.
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Behind the possible starters, South Carolina’s DB room also includes the likes of Vicari Swain and David Spaulding, who all saw playing time last year. From the transfer portal, the Gamecocks landed Gerald Kilgore and Buddy Mack III. The room will add six more incoming freshmen joining the team from the high school ranks, as well.
“I like David Bucey, I like Jalewis Solomon, I like Kelvin Hunter,” said Gray, listing off some of the freshmen he’s been high on. “I like those guys really as football players being part of our true freshmen group. But they’re coming in at a time to where it may not be as needed for them to get in as quickly.”
While Gray may not have an immediate use for the newcomers, that doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. He’s seen it before with guys like Emmanwori, Smith and Kilgore coming in as freshmen and finding their way onto the field early on because of an injury. That’s not to say the same will happen this year. But Gray is always ready for the unexpected.
“The SEC is such a physical conference; that’s why you prepare your freshmen like they’re starters,” he said. “You try to prepare everybody in your room like you’re starting because injuries are going to happen and you never know where it’s going to hit.”
