South Carolina football: players prepare for NFL Combine

Five former South Carolina football players will participate in the NFL Combine.

The NFL Combine will look a little different this year, with all participants having to hold virtual workouts as opposed to travelling to Indianapolis. Five of those participants will be former South Carolina Gamecocks, with Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu, Ernest Jones, Shi Smith, and Sadarius Hutcherson planning to show off their talents to NFL executives. The Combine will be included as a part of the Gamecocks’ Pro Day.

The two defensive backs, Horn and Mukuamu, opted to forego their final three games of the season in lieu of professional preparations. The timing of those opt outs coincided with the firing of then- head coach Will Muschamp.

The other three players finished out the year, with Smith and Hutcherson earning All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus.

Horn is likely to be the first Gamecock off the board in April’s draft, as he’s considered a consensus first-round selection. Most believe he’ll fall somewhere in the 15-25 pick range, and should have an immediate impact on an NFL roster this fall.

On the year, Horn finished with two interceptions and six pass breakups. If the predictions come to fruition, he’ll be the sixth Gamecock to be chosen in the first round since 2012.

Smith and Mukuamu figure to get picked up in the following days, while Hutcherson and Jones may have to find their next destination in the free agency period.

Each will do their best to separate themselves from the other 300+ players that will also be participating in the NFL Combine, as they look to impress scouts at the next level and begin their professional careers.