June 4, 2013

Four University of South Carolina football players earned spots on either the first or second team unit as Phil Steele released its annual preseason All-SEC teams, it was announced today.

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the lone Gamecock to garner a spot on the first team, while tight end Rory Anderson, offensive guard A.J. Cann and defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles, all earned second-team distinction. All four players will be juniors on the Gamecock roster this fall.

Clowney, a 6-6, 274-pounder from Rock Hill, S.C., was a unanimous All-America selection as a sophomore last season. The SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after recording 54 tackles, including a school record 23.5 tackles for loss and a school record 13.0 quarterback sacks.

Anderson, a 6-5, 242-pounder from Powder Springs, Ga., has shown a big play ability in his two seasons in the Garnet & Black. He has averaged 20.9 yards per catch on 22 receptions with eight touchdowns during his Carolina career.

Cann, a 6-4, 314-pound junior from Bamberg, S.C., has started 25 games over the past two seasons, the most among any returning player on the Gamecock roster. Cann has also been a leader in the weight room during the offseason and was presented with the Everyday Hustle Award for the offense at the 2013 Garnet & Black Spring Game.

Quarles, a 6-4, 298-pound defensive tackle from Hodges, S.C., put together a solid season in 2012 with 38 tackles including 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while starting all 11 games in which he appeared. He was recognized as the Everyday Hustle Award winner for the defense at the spring game.

The Gamecocks are coming off their second-straight 11 win season and finished the 2012 campaign ranked seventh in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. They will open the 2013 slate against North Carolina on Thursday, August 29.