The NFL Draft is the talk of the football world this week as Kansas City will host the three-day event starting on Thursday. About 250 players will have their lives forever changed this week as they are selected in the draft and will begin their professional football journeys. For South Carolina football fans, names like Cam Smith, Darius Rush, and Zacch Pickens are expected to be taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, and several other Gamecocks have a chance to hear their names called late, as well.
The festivities in Kansas City will have many college football fans thinking of their favorite players’ NFL careers, both future and past. For the South Carolina football program, NFL success has been common, but which drafted Gamecocks had the best NFL careers relative to their draft position?
Honorable Mentions
Sidney Rice: Sidney Rice (Round 2, Pick 44, 2007 NFL Draft; Minnesota Vikings) was one of the best receivers in Carolina history from 2003-2005. His NFL started slowly due to some minor injuries and a log jam in the Minnesota receiver room, but Rice became a Pro Bowler in his first season as a full-time starter in 2009. More injuries derailed his career, but he managed another nice season in 2012 with the Seattle Seahawks. 2009 (1300+ yards, 8 touchdowns, Pro Bowl) was the best year of his seven-year career and one of the best receiver seasons of any NFL Gamecock.
AJ Cann: One of the best linemen to ever play for the Gamecocks, AJ Cann (Round 3, Pick 67, 2015 NFL Draft; Jacksonville Jaguars) became a fixture at guard for the Jaguars as a rookie and had a solid seven-year run with the team as the full-time starter. Cann had another good season on the offensive line in 2022 with the Houston Texans, but he is waiting on a new contract in free agency this offseason.
Ernest Jones: Ernest Jones (Round 3, Pick 103, 2021 NFL Draft; Los Angeles Rams) was a very good linebacker for the Gamecocks from 2018-2020. He has continued his success in the NFL as the starting linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. He won a Super Bowl as a rookie in 2021 and would have been in the conversation for the game’s MVP had teammate Cooper Kupp not put together one of the best championship performances from a receiver in Super Bowl history. Jones seems poised to be part of this list in the not-so-distant future.
Hayden Hurst: An elite pass-catching tight end during his college career, Hayden Hurst (Round 1, Pick 25, 2018 NFL Draft; Baltimore Ravens) has been a solid NFL tight end. His Carolina career lasted from 2015-2017, but his NFL career is still going strong. After being a rotational tight end for two seasons in Baltimore, Hurst has been more of a focal point since then. Two good years with the Falcons and another with the Bengals led Hurst to a nice payday this offseason to return to the Carolinas to be the leading tight end for the Carolina Panthers.
Brad Edwards: Brad Edwards (Round 2, Pick 54, 1988 NFL Draft; Minnesota Vikings) was one of the best safeties to ever suit up in Williams-Brice Stadium. A college career that spanned from 1984-1987 saw Edwards become a starter late in his career, and he followed the same pattern as a pro. Edwards was not a full-time player until his 4th year in the NFL (2nd with the Washington Redskins) but had an excellent three-year run as the starter that included a Super Bowl XXVI performance that should have earned Edwards the MVP. His career in the League lasted a decade.
DJ Swearinger: A one-of-a-kind player, DJ Swearinger (Round 2, Pick 57, 2013 NFL Draft; Houston Texans) was the heart and soul of the South Carolina defense from 2009-2012 and became the same type of emotional leader in the NFL. A bit prickly with coaches, Swearinger bounced around the League for 9 seasons despite being a solid producer everywhere he went.
Kevin Long: Kevin Long (Round 7, Pick 195, 1977 NFL Draft; New York Jets) finished his college career as one of the best backs in South Carolina history after running (and blocking) all over opponents from 1971-1975. He then put together a good NFL career with 25 touchdowns as a hybrid running back/fullback but left the league to join the upstart USFL where he played as one of the best backs in the league until the USFL folded.
Willie Scott: The second Gamecock selected in the 1981 draft despite being a first-rounder, Willie Scott (Round 1, Pick 14, 1981 NFL Draft; Kansas City Chiefs) spent four years in Columbia from 1977-1980 before spending nine years in the NFL. His pro career mirrored his collegiate one as Scott was a very good blocker in the run game and was a situational pass catcher who did just enough to keep defenses honest. He didn’t quite live up to first-round expectations, but Scott had a nice 9-year career.
Dunta Robinson: Dunta Robinson (Round 1, Pick 10, 2004 NFL Draft; Houston Texans) was an immediate starter in the NFL after his 2000-2003 Gamecock career and won the 2004 Rookie of the Year. Robinson was very good for a long time both in coverage and as a tackler, exactly what a team hopes for out of their first-round pick. He never made a Pro Bowl in his career but was probably deserving a time or two.
Steve Courson: A great offensive lineman in his college career from 1973-1976, Steve Courson (Round 5, Pick 125, 1977 NFL Draft; Pittsburgh Steelers) was an even better professional blocker. He was a starter on two of the Steelers’ Super Bowl wins in Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. Unfortunately, Courson admitted later in his life that he had used steroids in college and during his professional career, tarnishing a great career.
Alshon Jeffery: Alshon Jeffery (Round 2, Pick 45, 2012 NFL Draft; Chicago Bears) was a good pro. After a three-year run dominating college football from 2009-2011, the Gamecock standout seemed to be on his way to dominating in the NFL, too. He racked up more than 2500 yards and 17 touchdowns in his second and third years in the league, but injuries and a suspension held him back from continuing that torrid pace. After moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffery was one of the Eagle’s top performers in their Super Bowl LII victory. His solid career lasted nine seasons.
Dennis Daley: Still in the NFL today, Dennis Daley (Round 6, Pick 212, 2019 NFL Draft; Carolina Panthers) just spent two years in Columbia in 2017 and 2018 before heading off to the pros. Daley has primarily been a starter (some at guard, but mostly at tackle) with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans. He signed a multi-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason and will look to continue his strong play in 2023. If he keeps it up, Daley will easily become one of the best values in Gamecock history as a 6th-round pick.
Duce Staley: Duce Staley (Round 3, Pick 71, 1997 NFL Draft; Philadelphia Eagles) was well on his way to NFL superstardom when injuries limited him after back-to-back 1000+ yard campaigns. His 1995-1996 college career prepared him for his post-injury role as he split carries and caught lots of balls out of the backfield for the Gamecocks, exactly what the Eagles (and later the Steelers) had him do as he shared backfields with players like Brian Westbrook, Jerome Bettis, and Willie Parker. A good playing career led him to a good coaching career.
Brandon Shell: After making 47 consecutive starts from 2012-2015 for the Gamecocks, Brandon Shell (Round 5, Pick 158, 2016 NFL Draft; New York Jets) became a very good NFL tackle, as well. He has been the primary starter for the Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins. Like fellow Gamecock tackle Dennis Daley, Shell is still in the league and will become one of the best late-round values in South Carolina history if he can continue his strong play in the league.
Harold Green: One of the top running backs to play under the lights of Williams-Brice Stadium with the Gamecocks, Harold Green (Round 2, Pick 38, 1990 NFL Draft; Cincinnati Bengals) went on to a productive NFL career. He made one Pro Bowl in 1992 but was a rotational back for most of the rest of his nine-year career in the League.
Alex Hawkins: Alex Hawkins (Round 2, Pick 13, 1959 NFL Draft; Green Bay Packers) was a standout at South Carolina from 1955-1958 but was released before ever playing for the Packers. The draft was split into two parts that offseason, with the first four rounds being held in December of the previous year, so Hawkins was more like a 6th-round selection. He provided pretty good value as a “6th rounder” as he played in the NFL for ten seasons, primarily with the Baltimore Colts.
Deebo Samuel: A budding superstar already at the NFL level, Deebo Samuel (Round 2, Pick 36, 2019 NFL Draft; San Fransisco 49ers) played at South Carolina from 2014-2018 and showed his elite ability when healthy. He has continued battling some minor injuries as a pro, but Deebo has been very good when available. If the versatile playmaker can stay on the field, he will make his way up this list very soon despite being a high pick in the draft.
Undrafted Successes
While this list is about NFL Draft successes, several Gamecocks have had very good professional careers despite going undrafted. These players deserve a shoutout even if they do not belong on the list. Some of the best undrafted Gamecocks include Darian Stewart (Undrafted 2010 NFL Draft; 10-year career, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl champion), Jamar Nesbit (Undrafted 1998 NFL Draft; 11-year career, Super Bowl champion), Dan Reeves (Undrafted 1965 NFL Draft; 8-year career, Super Bowl champion), and Damiere Byrd (Undrafted 2014 NFL Draft; 9-year active career).
South Carolina Football’s No. 15 NFL Draft Success:
CB/Nickel/KR/PR Captain Munnerlyn
The smallest player on this list, Captain Munnerlyn (Round 7, Pick 216, 2009 NFL Draft; Carolina Panthers) was a playmaker during his three years playing for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks from 2006-2008, and he was a playmaker in the NFL. In addition to solid coverage skills, the diminutive defensive back was a good tackler and a good return man.
A player who would be even better in the modern game, Munnerlyn was a nickel corner who was forced to play outside, but he still had a very good professional career. Had he been able to play nickel full-time (something pretty common in the modern NFL), Munnerlyn would have likely made several Pro Bowls as that was where his skillset would have been best utilized. He was in the league for 11 seasons and owns Panthers franchise records for defensive touchdowns (both career and single-season). As far as 7th-round picks go, one can’t ask for much more.
South Carolina Football’s No. 14 NFL Draft Success:
OL Travelle Wharton
Travelle Wharton (Round 3, Pick 94, 2004 NFL Draft; Carolina Panthers) was one of the best linemen to ever play at Carolina as he dominated opposing defensive lines from 2000-2003 in Columbia. He was a tackle in college out of necessity but slid inside to guard at the next level and had a very good career. Other than one season that he missed with an injury, Wharton’s high level of play lasted a decade, with nine of those seasons coming less than two hours from Columbia with the Carolina Panthers.
South Carolina Football’s No. 13 NFL Draft Success:
CB Sheldon Brown
A two-time All-American during his four-year career in garnet and black from 1998-2001, Sheldon Brown (Round 2, Pick 59, 2002 NFL Draft; Philadelphia Eagles) was one of several hard-hitting cover corners to come out of the University of South Carolina. Brown was a very good corner but never made a Pro Bowl despite being considered by some as one of the best corners in Eagles’ history. He played at a high level his entire NFL career that lasted 11 seasons.
South Carolina Football’s No. 12 NFL Draft Success:
K Ryan Succop
Ryan Succop (Round 7, Pick 256, 2009 NFL Draft; Kansas City Chiefs) was the “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2009 draft. After spending 2005-2008 knocking balls through the uprights in the SEC, Succop spent the first years of his NFL career with the Chiefs before having his best seasons with the Tennessee Titans. An injury ended his six-year run with the team, but he had a resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with three strong seasons. He is currently a free agent and considering retirement, but Succop’s great career was excellent value for the last pick of the draft.
South Carolina Football’s No. 11 NFL Draft Success:
WR Robert Brooks
A consistent receiver for South Carolina from 1988-1991, Robert Brooks (Round 3, Pick 62; 1992 NFL Draft; Green Bay Packers) had a pro career that was a little more up and down. His best year was a nearly-1500 yard explosion in 1995. He was somehow snubbed from the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams that year. That season, Brooks tied an NFL record for longest play from scrimmage with a 99-yard touchdown from Brett Favre. Favre once remarked that three of his “favorite receivers” came from the University of South Carolina (Brooks, Sterling Sharpe, and Sidney Rice).
His production waxed and waned from year to year, but Brooks was elected into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame on the back of his total production and his reputation as a great teammate. Brooks also went to two Super Bowls with the Packers, winning Super Bowl XXXI. Not bad for a third-round pick.
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 NFL Draft Success:
OLB/DE Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram (Round 1, Pick 18, 2012 NFL Draft; San Diego Chargers) became a three-time Pro Bowl player in the NFL after being a versatile All-American during his 2007-2011 college career. After playing defensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker for the Gamecocks, Ingram became an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid as a pro and has been excellent in that role. Ingram had his best years for the Chargers and played for the franchise in both San Diego and Los Angeles.
Ingram has bounced around since then but has remained a productive player. He is currently a free agent but is expected to be signed in 2023 free agency as his 11-year NFL career does not seem done yet. He already has beaten expectations for his career, despite being a first-rounder, and Ingram still may have some good football ahead of him.
South Carolina Football’s No. 9 NFL Draft Success:
DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney
One of two top-overall picks from the University of South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney (Round 1, Pick 1, 2014 NFL Draft; Houston Texans) was college football’s best player at times during his 2011-2013 college career. Since being drafted into the NFL, Clowney has had a very productive (but limited by injury) career as an EDGE player with his best years as a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker with the Texans.
He was an All-Pro and a multi-time Pro Bowler but could never live up to the full measure of the hype of his #1-overall recruit ranking and #1-overall draft pick selection due to fighting through injuries for most of his career. His career has been a successful one but still less than what was hoped because of this. Clowney is currently a free agent waiting for his next NFL contract during the 2023 offseason.
South Carolina Football’s No. 8 NFL Draft Success:
RB George Rogers
George Rogers (Round 1, Pick 1, 1981 NFL Draft; New Orleans Saints) won the Heisman Trophy to cap off a stellar career in garnet and black that ran from 1977-1980. Rogers was the first overall pick (and one of two first-rounders from Carolina) in the 1981 NFL Draft and had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. Big George racked up over 1800 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns en route to his NFL Rookie of the Year award and was selected as a first-team All-Pro, something less than 1% of NFL rookies have ever accomplished.
Rogers battled addiction and spent several stints in rehab during his playing days, derailing what should have been a Hall of Fame career. When he was healthy and clean, Rogers was tremendous in the NFL, averaging well over 1100 yards per season in his five healthy campaigns. He led the NFL in yards in 1981 with the Saints and in touchdowns in 1986 with the Washington Redskins, but injuries and his off-field struggles had him out of the league after the 1987 season, ending a great career that should have been even greater.
South Carolina Football’s No. 7 NFL Draft Success:
TE Jared Cook
A matchup nightmare from 2006-2008 in the SEC for the Gamecocks, Jared Cook (Round 3, Pick 89, 2009 NFL Draft; Tennessee Titans) continued his assault on opposing secondaries as a professional. Over the course of his 13-year NFL career, Cook went for over 500 yards receiving 9 times and made two Pro Bowls.
Cook also developed a reputation as a top postseason performer late in his career, with his best showing coming with almost 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an incredibly clutch 1st-down conversion in 3 postseason games with the Green Bay Packers during the 2016 postseason. Cook’s career is easily the best tight end career of any NFL Gamecock, and he performed much better than most third-round picks ever dream of performing as he finished his career 13th in all-time tight end receiving yardage and 11th in all-time tight end receiving touchdowns.
South Carolina Football’s No. 6 NFL Draft Success:
CB Johnathan Joseph
After just two years in Columbia in 2004 and 2005 (and just one season on the field), Johnathan Joseph (Round 1, Pick 24, 2006 NFL Draft; Cincinnati Bengals) spent fifteen seasons in the NFL. An All-Pro and Pro Bowl career saw its best years with the Houston Texans. Since the year 2000, no player has knocked away more passes in the NFL than Johnathan Joseph. Probably just a notch below Hall of Fame level, Joseph was one of the best corners in football for around a decade, way more than anyone could expect, even from a first-round pick.
South Carolina Football’s No. 5 NFL Draft Success:
DE/OLB John Abraham
John Abraham (Round 1, Pick 13, 2000 NFL Draft; New York Jets) showed moments of his potential dominance during his four years as a Gamecock from 1996-1999, but he really put it all together as a pro. With the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals, Abraham made three All-Pro teams and five Pro Bowls en route to 133.5 sacks in a borderline Hall of Fame career.
In what is arguably the best NFL career from any Gamecock, John Abraham provided incredible value during his NFL playing days, despite being a first-rounder, and he might go on to be the first South Carolina Gamecock to make his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 NFL Draft Success:
WR Sterling Sharpe
One of the biggest “what if” stories in NFL history, Sterling Sharpe (Round 1, Pick 7, 1988 NFL Draft; Green Bay Packers) got off to one of the best starts for any wide receiver to play the game. After dominating in college from 1983-1987, Sharpe kept it up in the NFL. He led the league in catches 3 times, including breaking the single-season receptions record twice, and led the NFL in touchdowns twice. Sharpe won the “Triple Crown” by leading the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns in the same season, something that has only happened eight times in league history.
Sharpe tragically had his career cut short by a neck injury. An obvious Hall of Famer with just a couple more years in the league, Sharpe was only able to play seven seasons before the injury. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, joining fellow Gamecock wide receiver Robert Brooks in receiving the honor.
South Carolina Football’s No. 3 NFL Draft Success:
CB Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore (Round 1, Pick 10, 2012 NFL Draft; Buffalo Bills) has been in the NFL for a dozen years after spending three seasons in Columbia from 2009-2011. Gilmore is one of the most accomplished NFL Gamecocks ever, and his list of accolades proves it. Gilly is a five-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time first-team All-Pro, and was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He has a Super Bowl ring (Super Bowl LIII), and he led the league in interceptions one season.
Gilmore is entering his 12th season in the League and is a few quality seasons away from being a Hall of Fame lock. If John Abraham doesn’t beat him to it, Gilmore could be the first Gamecock to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Though a top-10 pick, Gilmore has provided more value to the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and now the Cowboys than a top-10 pick could be expected to provide.
South Carolina Football’s No. 2 NFL Draft Success:
CB/KR/PR Bobby Bryant
The first of a long line of excellent Gamecock defensive backs, Bobby Bryant (Round 7, Pick 167, 1967 NFL Draft; Minnesota Vikings) played from 1964-1966 as a Gamecock before beginning a 14-year NFL career with the Vikings. Despite being taken so late in the draft and suffering a knee injury that caused him to miss all of 1967, Bryant went on to become one of the best defensive players in Minnesota Vikings history.
Bryant was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro for the Purple People Eaters defense and played in four different Super Bowls with the franchise. He is one of just a few Vikings to ever score a touchdown off of a fumble recovery, interception, and blocked field goal in a career. His 51 interceptions were in the top-10 in NFL history at the time of his retirement. Bryant is one of the best 7th-round picks ever, and, therefore, he is one of the most valuable draft picks of all-time.
South Carolina Football’s Greatest NFL Draft Success:
LB Tom Addison
Tom Addison (Round 12, Pick 141, 1958 NFL Draft; Baltimore Colts) is the most valuable draft pick to hail from the University of South Carolina. The standout linebacker played in Columbia from 1954-1957 before being drafted by the Colts. Not wishing to play in Baltimore, Addison elected to sit out of football until offered a contract by the Boston Patriots in 1960. Addison joined the team that season and became an All-Pro in his first year.
Four more AFL All-Star seasons followed his breakout rookie campaign, and Addison was considered by many to be the best linebacker in pro football until Dick Butkus became a Chicago Bear. Incredibly durable for most of his career, Addison didn’t miss a game until suffering a career-ending knee injury that cut his eight-year career short while he still was playing at a high level. He is still considered one of the top linebackers in the history of the storied Patriots franchise. The greatest 12th-round pick of all-time is the best value of any drafted Gamecock in NFL history.