South Carolina Football: Freshman nominated for national award
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina football defensive back Jalon Kilgore has been one of the country’s biggest breakout freshmen in 2023. The former 4-star prospect was not a starter heading into week 1 when the Gamecocks faced off with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
However, during that contest, starting safety Nick Emmanwori left the game with a hamstring issue, and Kilgore racked up double-digit tackles in his first game in college. Emmanwori didn’t miss much more time, but while he was out, Kilgore proved that he was way too good to leave off the field.
Since then, the secondary has seen some shifts as defensive coordinator Clayton White and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray knew that they had to find a way to keep #24 in the game.
He’s played nickel in the past two games, and he is still playing at a high level.
Kilgore’s big-time play in the country’s best conference has earned him plenty of attention and accolades this season. The latest honor has come from NFL and Alabama great Shaun Alexander. Each season, the Maxwell Football Club gives the Shaun Alexander Award to the nation’s top freshman performer in college football.
Kilgore is joined by Caleb Downs (S, Alabama), Javante Mackey (LB, Arkansas State), TJ Parker (DE, Clemson), D’Angelo Ponds (CB, James Madison), Rueben Bain Jr. (DE, Miami), Kevin Concepcion (WR, NC State), Nic Anderson (WR, Oklahoma), Peyton Bowen (S, Oklahoma), Dillon Thieneman (S, Purdue), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas), Taurean York (LB, Texas A&M), Zachariah Branch (WR, USC), and Parker Brailsford (OL, Washington).
In the preseason, South Carolina football freshman wide receiver Nyck Harbor and freshman linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard were on the preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Award. Kilgore was not on the list, but his incredible freshman campaign forced the Maxwell Football Club to add him to the list.
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