Three takeaways from Terrell Dawkins’ media availability

1- Getting healthy

Terrell Dawkins’ season a year ago was cut short before it really even got started. Plagued by a knee injury, he appeared in just four games in 2022. But injuries have been an issue for him going back to his days at NC State.

“It’s been annoying, to say the least,” explained Dawkins. “Feeling like I can’t play as well and then having to deal with the mental battles. Having to deal with everything I have to deal with, with all the injuries and stuff and just having to try to come back into the season knowing that we need players on the edge.”

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The good news for Dawkins, and the Gamecocks, is that he feels good. Crediting his faith as well as his relationship with defensive end/outside linebackers coach Sterling Lucas, he’s been able to push through the low points and is focused on getting back out onto the field.

“I feel like I had a really good winter, building muscle and everything. Building my armor around me, so the injuries won’t be as prevalent as they were before. (I’m) just taking it day by day. Still doing rehab and everything, so by the time the season comes around I can be 100 percent. I feel really good now but I can definitely be better.”

2- Gettings reps

Dawkins admits that the biggest challenge for him right now is finding ways to get caught up on missed opportunities for reps in the past. With how thin USC’s defensive end room currently is, he’s been able to take advantage of that.

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“I know that in order for me to be where I want to be, I just need to do as much as I can,” said Dawkins. “I’ve missed so many reps these past two years when it comes to playing football. When I was at NC State and last year I was missed basically 80 percent of the season. So it’s just making sure that I’m getting as many reps as I can.”

3- Competition at defensive end

There’s no secret that heading into 2023 South Carolina’s defensive end room is thin. With only five defensive ends currently on scholarships on USC’s roster Dawkins is in position to compete for a starting roll. When asked about whether he views himself as a starter right now Dawkins provided more of a look at how things are going for everybody right now.

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“I’m not gonna touch on that,” said Dawkins. “But I’ll say everybody in our room is working hard… I think we appreciate it right now, because it’s allowing all of us to get better (and) to get a good number of reps. Everybody in the room is just there to get better and that’s how we’re all looking at it. We’re not worried about depth. We’re not worried about anything. We’re just worried about getting better. All of us are getting a good amount of reps. It’s just something we’re appreciating and just striving to get better.”

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