We’re wrapping up the Final Cockdown’s look at the defensive line. Catch up here: Dante Sawyer | DJ Wonnum | Taylor Stallworth | Keir Thomas | Ulric Jones | Javon Kinlaw| Kobe Smith | Shameik Blackshear | Aaron Sterling | Brad Johnson | Aaron Thompson + Daniel Fennell
#96 Aaron Thompson
Redshirt Freshman | 6’3”, 297 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Dillard
#35 Daniel Fennell
Redshirt Sophomore | 6’3”, 244 | Loganville, GA | Grayson
We haven’t heard much of Thompson and Fennell during fall camp, but that’s likely to change. Moreso with Fennell since he is listed behind D.J. Wonnum at BUCK on the preseason depth chart.
Fennell came in as a more highly rated recruit than Thompson. A graduate of a strong Grayson program, he didn’t play with Jamyest Williams ended up as the #21 inside linebacker in his class before switching to DE in college. Thompson was considered one of the better DTs in the country but also switched positions in college. Fortunately, since he was able to redshirt last year, he can “reboot” and start from scratch, so to speak.
Thompson’s 2016 stats: One game; redshirted in part due to injury
Recruitment: Thompson was a National Signing Day flip in 2016 as he spurned Maryland and decided on South Carolina. He received 27 offers from programs such as Cincinnati, Clemson, Louisville, LSU, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Fennell’s 2016 stats: Six games, one tackle
Recruitment: Received 21 offers and was thought to have Michigan State and Georgia in the lead. In the end, it was South Carolina getting his pledge on December 5, 2014.