South Carolina football: Horn, Mukuamu opt out of remainder of season

South Carolina football will be with out Jaycee Horn the remainder of 2020.

Late Sunday night, South Carolina football learned that it will be without head coach Will Muschamp for the remainder of the 2020 season. Muschamp was relieved of his duties following the Gamecocks’ 59-42 loss to Ole Miss, the third straight game in which the team allowed 48 points or more.

Less than 24 hours after getting word of the head coach’s firing, the Gamecocks learned that it will also be without its best defender in cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn has opted to skip the final three games of the 2020 season in order to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1328507154475651074

The Georgia native is tied for the team lead in interceptions this year, picking off two passes in the Gamecocks’ upset win of Auburn. He ends his career in Columbia with 69 total tackles, 23 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and those two picks.

The junior is seen as a first to second round selection, with Mel Kiper listing Horn as his sixth-best draft eligible cornerback.

South Carolina football will be without Horn’s teammate, too.

Israel Mukuamu announced Tuesday that he, too, will be sitting out the rest of 2020. Mukuamu had been dealing with a groin injury, so it’s not certain he would’ve been able to play regardless. He now will prepare for the upcoming draft with his teammate.

Mukuamu was considered a first round pick heading into the year, but he struggled at times in 2020. Still, he tied for the team lead in interceptions.

The junior played in five games this season, recording 10 tackles and two picks. For his career, he finishes with ten pass breakups and seven interceptions. He’ll best be remembered for his three-pick day against Georgia in 2019.

South Carolina will try to find viable replacements for the two corners as they gear up for a Saturday clash with SEC East foe Missouri.