South Carolina Football: 15 Gamecocks that Could be Selected in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Jacob Elsey
KINGSLEY ENAGBARE
Kingsley, better known as J.J. on the Carolina campus, headlines a draft list that includes a number of juniors from the Gamecock defense. He ranks as the No. 9 defensive end prospect in the class of 2022.
Enagbare has put together two solid seasons as a Gamecock, tallying 47 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He looks to be in for an even larger role following the departure of DJ Wonnum and Javon Kinlaw. He’s best known for his speed and pass-rush abilities, and could see his name move up the draft boards if he continues to increase his sack totals.
SHERROD GREENE
Greene ranks as the No. 23 outside linebacker prospect in the 2021 class. He’s the first senior from the Carolina defense to make the list.
The North Carolina native has started 24 games over the last three seasons, totaling 130 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. One of his more memorable plays came in a rain-soaked contest against Missouri, where he picked off Drew Lock and raced to the endzone.
He’s shown NFL scouts some versatility, playing at both the strong and weak-side positions. He’ll need to continue to improve his cover skills, but he’s got the size and athleticism needed to defend the run. Greene’s made strides every season he’s been on campus, and another productive year could improve his draft stock.
JAYCEE HORN
Horn is the Gamecocks’ best cover-corner, and drops in at No. 19 on the 2022 class of cornerback prospects. A day one contributor, Horn has started 21 games since stepping foot on campus.
He’s recorded 85 tackles and defended 17 passes in his two seasons in the Carolina secondary, though he’s still looking for his first career interception. He’s also allowed only two receiving touchdowns to be caught against him.
Horn, and fellow corner Israel Mukuamu, are the most likely Gamecocks to declare early and forego their final seasons in Columbia. In fact, NFL analyst Ben Fennell believes that Horn could be the first corner taken off the board in the 2021 draft. If so, he will continue the Horn legacy, following his father, Joe, who played wide receiver in the NFL for 13 seasons.
ERNEST JONES
Jones is the vocal leader in the middle of the Carolina defense. He led the Gamecocks with 97 tackles as a sophomore.
The Georgia native is ranked just outside of the top 50 on the DraftScout list of inside linebacker prospects, but a solid junior year will continue to improve his draft outlook.
Jones is a physical player and a sure tackler. He’s a prototypical run stuffer, and has also shown decent skills in pass defense as noted by his two interceptions in coverage last year. With another 90+ tackle season, Jones could see his name start to creep up draft boards, though it may be more likely that he’s a 2022 selection following his senior year.
ISRAEL MUKUAMU
Mukuamu ranks as the No. 13 cornerback prospect in the 2022 class, according to DraftScout. He and Jaycee Horn will team up next season to make one of the nation’s top secondary duos.
As a sophomore, Mukuamu had a breakout season, recording four interceptions and 76 tackles. His best game of the year came in the Gamecocks’ upset win over Georgia, where he picked off quarterback Jake Fromm three times, returning one for a touchdown.
Mukuamu is now becoming a trendy pick in mock drafts to be a first-round selection. It’s not everyday that scouts see a 6’4″ corner who’s able to keep up with opposing receivers. If he has the type of season that many are predicting, he should hear his name called early in 2021.
RICK SANDIDGE
Sandidge is the No. 30 defensive tackle prospect in the 2022 class. He expects to see an increase in playing time now that last year’s starters Kobe Smith and Javon Kinlaw are off to the NFL.
Sandidge is entering his junior season, and he’s totaled 25 tackles and a sack. He’ll be able to showcase his ability carry the load as a starter in 2020, and continue to build upon the experience he’s gained in his first two years on campus.
Sandidge will need to turn his opportunities into production, but a breakout year could put him on the NFL radar. He’s athletic enough to create an inside pass rush, and strong enough to be a run stopper. Scouts will love his 6’5”, 300-lb frame, but they’ll probably want to see him get another year of experience under his belt before considering taking Sandidge with a 2021 pick.
AARON STERLING
Sterling ranks as the No. 16 outside linebacker prospect in the 2021 class, a few spots ahead of teammate Sherrod Greene. He’s seen most of his action along the front four for the South Carolina defense, but that’s likely to change as he pursues an NFL career.
At 6’1”, he doesn’t have the prototypical size of an NFL defensive end, which probably means he’ll drop back to linebacker at the next level. Having said that, he could excel as an outside rusher in a 3-4 defense. A good comparison would be former Jacksonville Jaguar Mike Peterson, who is now Sterling’s position coach with the Gamecocks.
Sterling has a high motor, and a knack for getting to the quarterback. He led the Carolina defense last season with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. NFL teams may be more selective when evaluating Sterling’s skillset, as his abilities in coverage may be lacking compared to other linebacker prospects, but if put in the right situation, he should have a chance to disrupt backfields at the next level.