Zacch Pickens leading South Carolina's efforts to stop the run
Zacch Pickens came back to South Carolina to be an anchor on the Gamecocks’ defensive line, and he’s been that for the majority of the season this year.
“He’s been awesome,” Beamer said. “He’s an emotional leader and he’s just so disruptive like he can be so dominant when he wants to be,” Beamer said.
Pickens made the decision to return for his senior season as a Gamecock and it’s paying off. He has 27 total tackles this season, 1.5 for a loss, and a sack at the midpoint. At this point last season, he had just 12 tackles. He’s more than doubled that as one of the team’s starters up front.
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And the Gamecocks have needed him this year as part of their rush defense with stopping the run the been the biggest focus for South Carolina’s defense.
In the first three games of the year, South Carolina allowed 703 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pickens and his fellow defensive lineman have really upped their game as well following the losses to Georgia and Arkansas.
In the next three weeks, South Carolina allowed a mere 345 yards and one touchdown, including allowing Kentucky to average just 3.4 yards per carry.
“Just by fixing, and doing our job when we can do better,” Pickens said. “And just stacking good days on good days and just being ourselves.”
They’ll have a big test again this week against all-league contender Devon Achane, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry this year and has scored four times.
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“Our team is really good and we get pushed over and people overlook us because maybe we don’t win a game when we should and it’s on us,” Pickens said. “Now I’m starting to show them that we can do it. The more that I show up and I care and everybody sees it and it just keeps rolling,” Pickens said.
There are few personalities in the SEC that are as likable as Pickens. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle is rarely seen without a smile on his face. He brings also positive energy into every room that he goes into.
“I care a lot, especially when it comes to this team,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to help wherever I can and do whatever I can to help us win.”
Leading by example is what Pickens has always been about. Pickens is always keeping his teammates uplifted on the field with his trademarked smile.
“We love each other, a lot of teams can’t say that, we play for each other and we do almost everything together,” Pickens said.
