South Carolina football: 5 Gamecocks land in Dane Brugler’s mock draft

South Carolina football will be well represented come draft day.

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, with Day One kicking off the three-day event at the end of April. As is the case with every season, analysts are doing their best to predict where each player will land, and this year’s draft looks like it will see a number of former Gamecocks hear their names called on the big stage.

Mel Kiper of ESPN recently released his latest version of selections in his Mock Draft 4.0. That projection saw two South Carolina teammates being picked in the first two rounds. Now, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has released his prediction, and again, the Gamecocks are well represented.

In Brugler’s seven-round mock draft, he gives his best guess on all 259 picks. There were five Gamecocks mentioned, including one first rounder. The remaining four prospects are gone between rounds four and seven.

Coming as no surprise, cornerback Jaycee Horn is the first Gamecock taken, landing at the No. 12 spot to Philadelphia. Brugler elaborates on his decision to stick Horn with the Eagles, saying that Philly’s secondary is in dire need of a playmaker.

"The Eagles could go wide receiver here or add to the trenches, but Philadelphia also needs help at cornerback. Horn and Darius Slay starting on the outside would help make cornerback a strength."

Horn is Brugler’s second corner off the board, falling two spots behind Alabama’s Patrick Surtain, who gets scooped up by the Cowboys. He’s also the second defensive player taken, regardless of position.

After Horn, things are a bit quiet for the Gamecocks. Rounds two and three don’t see any former players selected, but on the draft’s final day, the dominos start to fall, starting with Shi Smith.

The wideout is projected to go with the 113th overall pick to the hometown Carolina Panthers. Brugler has Smith being the only wide receiver taken by the team in what could be a steal in the fourth round. Smith impressed at the Senior Bowl in January, and had a breakout senior season in Columbia. The pass catcher hauled in 57 passes for 633 yards to lead the Gamecocks, accounting for more than a third of the team’s receiving production. He’ll have an immediate opportunity to make an impact in the slot position.

Linebacker Ernest Jones hears his name called next, in the fifth round. The Gamecocks’ leading tackler in each of the last two seasons has been gaining some traction with draft analysts. After being considered a late round or potential free agent pickup, his stock has been skyrocketing since his Pro Day/Combine performance. Brugler has the former team captain going to the Texans with the 158th overall pick.

Jones is a strong player that should be a run stuffer in the middle of someone’s defense. A vocal leader and true middle backer, he’ll have a chance to be a two-down player. If his abilities in coverage can improve a bit, he may develop into a third down defender, too. He’s been mentioned as a second round pick by Mel Kiper, but we’ve typically seen his name landing in the fourth or fifth rounds recently.

One round later, another defender comes off the board. Israel Mukuamu, who struggled with both injuries and consistency his junior year, is tagged as a sixth round selection by the reigning champion Buccaneers. Mukuamu received some first round grades after a 2019 season that saw him intercept four passes, but he’s since fallen down the draft boards. Still, with a 6-foot-4 frame on the outside, professional teams are sure to take a chance with a late round pick. He’s a player that has a knack for the big play, and always seems to be around the ball. In the right scheme, he can become a ball hawk in the back end of someone’s defense.

Last but not least, the big uglies get some recognition. A stalwart on the offensive line over the last four seasons, Sadarius Hutcherson is the last Gamecock taken according to Brugler. The guard is projected to go to Arizona with the 243rd overall pick.

Hutcherson is a freak of nature that’s extremely athletic for his size. He’s twice been featured on Bruce Feldman’s college football freaks list due to his leaping ability. Here’s what Feldman said about the big man this past offseason.

"Freakiest attribute: Leaping abilityThe Gamecocks starting left tackle for most of last season isn’t only one of the strongest men in the SEC, but the 320-pounder also has impressive athleticism as reflected by his 31.5-inch vertical jump. Hutcherson, a former high school tight end, also benches around 450 pounds and squats more than 600."

Hutcherson is a great run blocker that should fit in nicely along the inside of the offensive front five. If Brugler’s prediction comes true, Hutcherson will be helping keep Kyler Murray off the dirt in what could be a potent Cardinals’ offense.