South Carolina Football: Another Gamecock gets his NFL opportunity

South Carolina football had five players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cam Smith

went 51st overall to the Miami Dolphins,

Zacch Pickens

was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 64th pick, and

Darius Rush

was taken off the board as a later-than-expected 5th-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts.

Jovaughn Gwyn

and

Jalen Brooks

were selected in the 7th round by the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. It didn’t take long after the draft for another Gamecock to get his NFL opportunity.

Tight end Nate Adkins signed a free agent deal with the Denver Broncos.

Adkins spent just one season in Columbia but became a fan favorite. His toughness, blocking ability, hatred of Clemson, and big performances in his final two games made him beloved by the South Carolina faithful, despite the fact that he caught less than 200 yards worth of passes in his Gamecock career.

Adkins was the team’s best blocking tight end, and with the massive running back issues the Gamecocks had last season, he even lined up as a running back on some obvious passing downs to help with pass protection. His ability to block, coupled with sure hands and special teams experience, made Adkins an almost lock to make an NFL roster.

Now in Denver, Akins will have the opportunity to see the field, and he might do so early in his career. Adkins has experience as a long snapper and as an up blocker on punts and kickoff returns. That special teams versatility could make the difference in him making the roster after training camp as NFL teams usually like their third and/or fourth tight ends to be able to play special teams. His ability to block in space as a fullback/h-back could also separate him from other tight ends trying to stick around through the preseason this fall.

Adkins joins Josh Vann as the first Gamecocks to sign undrafted free agent contracts after the 2023 NFL Draft.