There is a longstanding tradition of the South Carolina Gamecocks producing elite players in the NFL.
standouts on defence Three South Carolina defenders with distinguished careers on the defensive end of the ball are Jadeveon Clowney, Javon Kinlaw, and Jaycee Horn.Ever since the Houston Texans selected him with the first overall choice in the 2014 draft, Clowney has consistently produced at a high level. Entering his 11th NFL season, he has been selected for three Pro Bowls and has been voted twice to the second team of All Pros.
Kinlaw was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is about to begin his fifth season of play for the New York Jets, one of the best defences in the league.
It has been South Carolina’s speciality to draft defenders in the first round. The Carolina Panthers, who selected Horn with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, will be his new team for the upcoming season.
However, the Gamecocks have also had success drafted into the NFL with offensive players. Among the famous Gamecocks now playing in the NFL are Deebo Samuel, Hayden Hurst, Xavier Legette, and Spencer Rattler.
After being taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Samuel has established himself as one of the best receivers in the league, and Hurst, who was selected in the first round of the previous year, has excelled at tight end for a number of teams.After a standout season at South Carolina, Legette is ready for a big year as the new Carolina Panthers’ top wide receiver. Rattler, meantime, might get a shot to contend for the starting quarterback position with the Saints after one or two seasons with the team.
Not to be overlooked is Alston Jeffrey, who played for the Bears and Eagles for nine years in the NFL and was a dominant player who helped Philadelphia win a Super Bowl and voted as one of the top 100 Bears of all time.
