Nathan Pepper

Experienced defensive lineman who was a key factor in the Gamecocks improvement in stopping the run in 2008… one of three fifth-year scholarship players on the roster… has complete knowledge of the game… very technically sound… has a knack for making the big play, as exhibited by his two career touchdowns… has made the most starts (26) of any returning player.

2008: Started 11 of 13 games… made 23 tackles, including 17 solo stops… had 5.0 tackles for loss, doubling his career total… credited with a sack in the season-opener vs. NC State… had one of his best games as a Gamecock against Wofford, logging seven tackles, including a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry… had a tackle for loss against UAB… returned a fumble 29 yards for a touchdown at Ole Miss, his second career score.

2007: Started each of the first three games… started the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette at defensive tackle but moved to defensive end in week two against Georgia… had three tackles against ULL… intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown in the win over SC State… it was his second career interception… suffered a left knee injury on the play and underwent season-ending surgery… gained a medical redshirt.

2006: Played in all 13 games, starting 12… did not start in the Liberty Bowl game against Houston… logged 25 tackles, the most among the Gamecock interior linemen… 19 of his tackles were solo stops… credited with 5.0 tackles for loss, including a sack against FAU… returned a fumble 37 yards against Vanderbilt… picked off a pass against Clemson and returned it 33 yards for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown, only to fumble through the end zone, resulting in a touchback.

2005: Saw action in nine games as a true freshman… played at the defensive end position… did not figure in on any tackles… credited with one pass break up… handled the short snapping duties in the Florida game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Greenville (S.C.) High School in 2005… played for Coach Larry Frost… led his team to a 32-4 record over a three-year period… finished his high school career with more than 210 tackles and 36 sacks… named the Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year by High School Sports Report after recording 90 tackles and 13 sacks as a senior… named his team[apos]s Defensive MVP… played in the 2004 South Carolina-North Carolina Shrine Bowl… rated the 13th-best player in the state of South Carolina by High School Sports Report and the 16th-best player in the state by SuperPrep… rated the 18th-best player in the state and the 46th-best defensive end in the country by Rivals.com.