South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock impressing new NFL team

The South Carolina football team had five players selected by NFL organizations in the 2023 NFL Draft. Cam Smith went to the Miami Dolphins in the second round, Zacch Pickens was selected in the third round by the Chicago Bears, Darius Rush was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round, Jovaughn Gwyn came off the board in the seventh round to the Atlanta Falcons, and Jalen Brooks was a seventh-round selection of the Dallas Cowboys.

Former Gamecocks Nate Adkins, Josh Vann, Sherrod Greene, and Brad Johnson were all signed as undrafted free agents, as well. Adkins will compete for a roster spot with the Denver Broncos, Josh Vann joins former Gamecocks Shi Smith and Damiere Byrd in the receiver room with the Carolina Panthers, Sherrod Greene signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Brad Johnson is now on a rookie minicamp deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

In recent days of NFL practices, one former Gamecock rookie appears to have a clear path to a starting opportunity. According to Josh Kendall who covers the Falcons for The Athletic (and formerly covered South Carolina football for about twenty years), Gwyn has been repping with the first team of rookie linemen at minicamp.

While this certainly is far from a true starting role, Gwyn has reportedly been impressive as an interior lineman in the early going.

The left guard spot seems open for Atlanta, and Gwyn could compete with former Georgia lineman and second-year player Justin Shaffer for that starting spot. Center, though, might be Gwyn’s best fit from a physical standpoint. Incumbent starter and third-year player Drew Dalman started all 17 games last season but was far from dominant. Gwyn will look to push Dalman and Shaffer for playing time, and his versatility as a guard or a center could allow for the former Gamecock to see the field sooner than later.