Skip to main content
Garnet and Cocky
Fansided

2026 NFL Draft: ESPN ranking of CB Brandon Cisse suggests he could be high Day 2 pick

The Gamecock cornerback is one of the best-remaining players available.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The first round of the 2026 NFL draft began on Thursday evening. Although there was not a South Carolina Gamecock selected, one big-name prospect could be an early Day 2 pick. 

It looks like Gamecock cornerback Brandon Cisse appears to be one of the best overall players remaining on the board entering day two on Friday evening.

ESPN has a live NFL draft page, which features a "Best Available" page with a ranking of players still available. In the overall rankings, ESPN has Cisse as the No. 12 overall player remaining. It has the former Gamecock star as the fourth-best cornerback on the board, behind Tennessee's Jermod McCoy, Clemson's Avieon Terrell and the Vols' Colton Hood. 

Here's how ESPN scouts Cisse on the page, via Scouts Inc.: 

"Cisse can easily mirror releases and reroute receivers in press coverage. In short areas, he can get caught when trying to change directions against quicker, shiftier receivers. But in off coverage, he flashes the ability to make quick reads. Cisse has the length to break up passes from a trail position and the vertical explosion to compete for 50-50 balls. He does a good job of contorting and controlling his body to avoid contact with receivers, though he can grab at the top of routes. As a run defender, he does a good job of getting the ball carrier to the ground, though he misses some tackles by going for the ankles." 

Cisse, a native of Sumter, S.C., started his career at NC State for two seasons before transferring to South Carolina. He had a solid season in Columbia, finishing the year with 27 total tackles including a career-high 19 solo stops with five passes defended and an interception. 

Various mock drafts have Cisse going to a number of different teams, such as the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, as well as one mock putting him to land with the Carolina Panthers.

For now, it appears as though Cisse getting picked on Friday is a definite possibility. The main question is how high will he go?  

Dawn Staley swipes 5-star recruit away from Lady Vols

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/South Carolina Football