South Carolina Football: Each Gamecock Selected in the First Round of the NFL Draft

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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 26: Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina holds up a jersey as he poses on stage with family after he was selected #10 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Tonight, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw will become the NFL’s next first-round pick from the University of South Carolina football program. The senior had a monster year in 2019, leading the team in sacks, on his way to All-Conference and All-America honors.

When selected, Kinlaw will become the 14th Gamecock alum to be chosen in the first round. Of those players, two have been top overall picks, and another six were chosen inside the top 15.

Eight of the selections have come since the turn of the century, with the other five coming prior to 2000. The list consists of some of the program’s all-time greats, including a Heisman trophy winner, Ted Hendricks award winner, and numerous NCAA All-Americans.

The list is split down the middle, with six players on the offensive side of the ball, and seven on defense. Here’s a short breakdown by position:

OFF:

RB – 1

WR – 2

TE – 2

OL – 1

DEF:

EDGE – 3

DB – 4

Let’s take a deeper look at each of these first-round picks, starting with the first, way back in 1979.

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