South Carolina Football: 15 Gamecocks that Could be Selected in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Jacob Elsey
SADARIUS HUTHERSON
Hutcherson ranks as the No. 14 offensive guard prospect in the 2021 draft class. The redshirt senior is the most experienced player on the Gamecock offense, having played in 35 games over the last three seasons, and cracking the starting lineup in his last 26 appearances.
Scouts really like Hutcherson’s strength and explosiveness, which are the reasons he was named to Bruce Feldman’s 2019 list of “Freaks.” He’s also got the versatility to move along the offensive line, having played meaning snaps at both guard and tackle. The 320-pounder could see his name slide up the draft boards with a solid senior season.
NICK MUSE
Muse ranks as the No. 41 tight end prospect in the 2021 draft class. A transfer from William & Mary, he unfortunately sustained a season ending knee injury that prevented him from playing in the final three games of last year.
Prior to his injury, Muse recorded 17 catches for 158 yards. He’ll need to work on run blocking and pass protection to improve his draft stock, but there’s no denying his athleticism. He’ll also need to prove that he can bounce back from the ACL tear, but if healthy, he should be Carolina’s starting tight end in 2020.
He hopes to join his brother, Tanner, who was selected in the 2019 draft by the Oakland Raiders.
ADAM PRENTICE
Prentice, another transfer, has yet to step foot on the Carolina campus, but he’s already received a bit of buzz within the program. Following new offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, from Colorado State, Prentice looks to be highly involved at the fullback position in the Gamecocks’ new look attack in 2020.
DraftScout rated Prentice as the No. 2 fullback prospect in the 2021 class. The graduate transfer recorded 65 rushing yards and 115 receiving yards in his three seasons with the Rams, and now looks to become an integral part of the South Carolina game plan.
The fullback position is being used less and less in today’s NFL game, but Prentice can certainly find a fit with a team that utilizes a two-back system, similar to former Gamecock Pat Dimarco.
ORTRE SMITH
Smith is the first junior to make the list, coming in as the No. 29 wide receiver in the 2022 class. Smith had a breakout freshman year, catching 30 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he’s been slowed by injuries over the past two seasons.
The Mt. Pleasant native will compete for a starting spot alongside senior Shi Smith in 2020. He’s shown the ability to make plays, and NFL scouts will love the 6’4” frame. If he can remain healthy and get back to his freshman season form, Smith can slide in to fill the void left by Bryan Edwards.
It may be a bit premature for Smith to be thinking about the 2021 draft, but a solid season will keep him on the NFL radar.
SHI SMITH
Smith has been a three-year starter for the Gamecocks and looks to take over as the top receiving option for the Carolina offense in 2020. The Union native ranks as the No. 22 wide receiver in the 2021 class.
Smith has recorded 117 catches for 1,571 yards and nine touchdowns as a Gamecock. He’s also helped out on special teams, receiving 18 kickoffs and totaling 401 return yards.
Smith may be the fastest player on the roster, and is as sure-handed as they come. In fact, as a freshman he started seven games, making 29 catches without recording a single drop.
JOSH VANN
Vann is another junior wide receiver that could gain some draft recognition with a solid 2020 season. He currently ranks as the No. 21 receiver prospect in the 2022 class, just a few spots ahead of the previously mentioned OrTre Smith.
The Georgia native has recorded 37 catches for 289 yards with the Gamecocks. He, too, will compete for a starting role alongside Shi Smith. Scouts will love his speed, but he needs to improve his route running to be a viable option in the 2021 draft.
PARKER WHITE
White is currently ranked as the No. 10 kicker in the class of 2021. He’s been a three-year starter for the Gamecocks, improving in each of his seasons on campus.
For his career, White has made 45 of his 63 field goal attempts, including an impressive 32-of-35 (91.4%) from inside of 40 yards. He’s also 96-for-97 on extra point attempts, and currently ranks fifth in program history with 231 total points scored.
The Mt. Pleasant native can also handle kickoff duties, and may sneak into the later rounds of the 2021 draft with a solid senior season.
DYLAN WONNUM
Wonnum is the second offensive lineman to be ranked on the draft board, coming in at No. 12 among tackle prospects for the 2022 class.
He’s made 14 starts over the last two seasons, and garnered Freshman All-America honors in 2017. He’s showed some versatility having played at both the right and left tackle positions, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his brother and former teammate, DJ, who was a fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.