Jacksonville State’s introduction to the FBS and Conference USA was unexpected to some.
To others, the 9-4 campaign might have come as no surprise. Regardless of what you were expecting from the Gamecocks, their defense probably exceeded those expectations.
Jax State led CUSA in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 21.5 points and 352 yards per game. They didn’t allow over 31 points once and held nine opponents to 17 points or less. The defense was stout all season long.
While first-team all-CUSA selection Chris Hardie just recently announced he would be entering the transfer portal and the Gamecocks are only returning four players who started at all last season, they’re still bringing back a decent amount of production.
Their cornerback room should have plenty of depth. Redshirt junior Derek Carter led the Gamecocks with eight pass breakups last season and added 44 tackles. He was voted second-team all-conference and should only improve. Jabari Mack started in six games before suffering a season-ending injury and was having a solid season to that point with three pass breakups and an interception. He should be back in the rotation this fall and may be in the starting lineup again.
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As a true freshman, Geimere Latimer started in two games late in the year and secured his first career interception against New Mexico State in the regular season finale. Marco Baker will also be back and started one game last season. Baker finished with 19 tackles and three PBUs.
Jax State lost some key contributors from the defensive line but have a few others that should fill in nicely. J-Rock Swain started at the Gamecocks’ bandit position and tallied 30 tackles and four sacks to go with 6.5 tackles for loss. Curley Young Jr. started one game and compiled 32 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. Jax State also picked up Reginald Hughes out of the portal from Ole Miss, who will bring some SEC talent to this defense.
Laletia Hale is the only starting linebacker returning after starting nine games in 2023. Hale secured 59 tackles. Jibreel Al-Amin appeared in every game last season and could find himself in a starting spot. The redshirt sophomore finished with 16 tackles and one sack.
Much like linebacker, the Gamecocks will need some younger players and transfers to step up at safety. Fred Perry was third on the roster with 71 tackles and started 10 games in 2023. The junior added three TFLs, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Perry has a chance to be the most impactful player on this defense.
Josh Knapp transferred from VMI where he finished with 87 tackles and earned All-SoCon honors. He should provide some needed experience and depth at the position. The Gamecocks return Travis Franklin Jr. and Austin Ambush, both who saw limited action last year but should have bigger roles this fall.
It’ll be tough for Jax State to duplicate the defense they had last season with some playmakers gone and former defensive coordinator Zac Alley now at Oklahoma, but this year’s squad can’t be overlooked.
JSU head coach Rich Rodriguez brought in Luke Olson from TCU as the new DC. Olson has a lot of experience and should get the most out of this group.
My guess is the Gamecocks will be among the top teams in CUSA again in 2024, and the defense will be a big reason why.
