Bills rookie Jalon Kilgore already making impressive plays at Buffalo training camp

The 2026 NFL season is fast approaching, as all 32 teams have started their training camps across the country. One team looking to make a Super Bowl run this season is the Buffalo Bills, who have a former Gamecock in safety Jalon Kilgore on their new roster. 

The Bills drafted Kilgore in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft just a few months ago. Selected with the No. 167 overall pick, he slid further than expected in the draft. But even as he starts taking his first few reps as a rookie, he is already impressing during training camp. 

At practice earlier this week, he was seen breaking up a Kyle Allen pass attempt. According to various reporters on-hand at training camp, the rookie has been impressing early. 

Kilgore is originally from Georgia, but he spent three seasons of college football with South Carolina. Him stepping onto the field as a rookie in Buffalo isn't all that surprising, given that Kilgore started as a true freshman in Columbia in 2023. He was named a second-team All-SEC that season, after he finished with 76 total tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and seven passes defended. 

Although his production fell off some as a sophomore and junior, he wrapped up his Gamecock career with 178 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions and 29 passes defended. He had a career-high five interceptions as a sophomore during the 2024-25 season. 

After taking Kilgore in the draft, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane had high praise for the former Gamecock. 

"Jalon was another guy we really liked, and we had a pretty good value," Beane said via The Big Spur. "We sent [Bills secondary coach] Joe Danna down to work him out and spend some time with him. Very familiar with that program. Know Shane Beamer very well. I actually called Shane again this morning on my way in. Just wanted to run through him one more time. He was going back through some stuff that I didn't even remember. Maybe I had heard before. Played at a high school where he was the best player on the team."

In Buffalo, Kilgore will have the chance to learn from some talented veterans during his rookie season. Buffalo's defensive backs room features cornerbacks Christian Benford, Davison Igbinosun and Dorian Strong. Among the safeties, Kilgore looks like he’s behind Cole Bishop in the strong-side spot, but he’ll learn from guys like Geno Stone, Damar Hamlin and Jordan Hancock. 

If Kilgore keeps making plays like this in training camp, don't be surprised if he sees some early, meaningful reps as a rookie. At the very least, Kilgore will definitely see reps during the Bills' preseason. Buffalo takes on the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh in the three weeks from Aug. 15-27. Buffalo opens the regular season on the road at the Houston Texans on Sept. 13.

ALSO READ: Jadeveon Clowney could. reuniting with one of former NFL teams in 2026

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