South Carolina linebacker Justin Okoronkwo wasted no time making an impression in his Gamecocks debut. The Alabama transfer recorded four tackles, including a crucial tackle for loss, as South Carolina opened the season with a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White praised Okoronkwo’s impact, pointing to more than just his athletic ability.
“He’s super smart. He’s a very intelligent young man,” White said on Wednesday. “That’s an intangible people don’t always see. He understands a lot of different things, and I think he plays hard.”
Okoronkwo’s standout moment came in the second quarter with the Hokies threatening inside the red zone. Virginia Tech tried to spring Cameron Seldon on a jet sweep, but Okoronkwo shed his blocker and brought Seldon down for a loss. The play stalled the drive, forcing the Hokies to settle for a field goal.
Reflecting on the stop, Okoronkwo kept things simple.
“That’s when we get taught to just put the ball down,” he said. “We always got to be ready for the next play—flush whatever happened before and focus on what’s next.”
The Gamecocks’ defense racked up four tackles for loss and didn’t allow a single touchdown, marking the first time Virginia Tech was kept out of the end zone since November 2023 against Louisville. For White, Okoronkwo’s performance drew comparisons to one of South Carolina’s defensive standouts from recent years.
“He does have some trigger about him where he can go downhill, kind of old school like Debo (Williams),” White said. “He reminds me of Debo in some ways. He plays differently, but he brings that aspect to our defense. He’s tough, hard-nosed, plays on special teams, and battles through things. That’s highly respected throughout our program.”
Williams, who totaled 225 career tackles at South Carolina after transferring from Delaware, set the tone for the Gamecocks’ defense during his four years. His 113 tackles in 2023 remain the program’s highest single-season mark since 2002. He also made his presence felt on special teams, blocking two punts in a 2021 game against Eastern Illinois.
Okoronkwo has the chance to follow a similar path. While he showed flashes on defense against Virginia Tech, he’s also expected to contribute on special teams.
“That’s what I was waiting for, that’s what we’ve been training for since January, since I got here,” Okoronkwo said. “And it’s just great to finally be out there.”
