Yes, almost every opposing coach, including UNC coach Larry Fedora, says that South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney is the top defensive player he has ever faced. But if the Tar Heels spend too much time worrying about him in the season opener Thursday night, there are two or three other defenders up front who can kill them as well.

Kelcey Quarles, at 6-foot-4, 298 pounds, is firmly entrenched at defensive tackle with 17 career starts. He’s expected to be in the running for postseason honors. South Carolina’s other defensive end is an experienced fifth-year season in 6-5, 265-pound Chaz Sutton, who coaches look to as a leader on defense.

Fedora said you can’t just plan everything around Clowney because other guys will beat you up too.

“They’ve got a dang good defensive line,” Fedora said. “Clowney gets all the talk and all the press, but they’re good up front. They’re very good upfront. They’ve got Sutton, Quarles, you’ve got (junior J.T.) Surratt at the other tackle, and those guys are good football players, really good football players.”

Still Clowney is Clowney. “I’ve never played against a guy who is 272 lbs. and runs a 4.4,” Fedora said. “It’s obvious on film, he plays at a different speed than other guys because he is faster than other guys. He plays hard.”

Fedora said when playing against South Carolina, you have to understand that Clowney is too good of a player to shut down. But you can’t let the other guys beat you either.

Las Vegas knows that as well and has the sixth-ranked Gamecocks as 12-point favorites over the unranked Tar Heels. ESPN carries the game at 6 p.m.