In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Georgia, 300-pound South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw rumbled 11 yards downfield to tackle Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Kinlaw, a sophomore who transferred in the offseason from Jones Junior College, couldn’t have done that in the first week of the season. There are lots of things Kinlaw couldn’t have done then that he’s doing with regularity now, and that has been a big boost for South Carolina’s defense.
“He’s huge, the run support, helping me and T.J. (Brunson) run sideline to sideline, him taking up space and keeping blockers off us is huge, and he makes plays himself as well,” linebacker Skai Moore said.