NFL Draft Preview for Former Gamecocks
By Jacob Elsey
Kinlaw was an All-American and the Gamecocks’ most dominant defensive lineman in 2019. He tied for the team lead in sacks, and seemed to excel on the big stage. Two of his best performances of the season were against Alabama, and in South Carolina’s 20-17 upset over the Georgia Bulldogs.
He also had a stellar showing, albeit a short one, at the 2019 Senior Bowl practices, which caught the attention of Todd McShay.
Here’s what NFL analysts had to say about Kinlaw:
"“For a player with so many elite physical traits, Kinlaw’s tape was much more inconsistent than expected. He had moments where he was able to use his size, length and power to overwhelm opponents, but poor pad level and an inability to harness his energy coming off the snap led to body control and balance issues that prevented him from reaching his full potential. He can be a disruptive force along the interior with that explosive first step and freaky physical gifts, but utilizing his heavy hands and plus length as a read-and-react 3-4 end might allow for improved technique, control and consistency. No matter the front, Kinlaw’s traits and potential could make him a solid starter early in his career.” – Lance Zierlein"
Kinlaw played 3 years for the Gamecocks. He joined the team following a year at Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. Kinlaw finished his career with 93 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 3 blocked kicks. He is a projected first round pick in the upcoming draft.