Jalon Kilgore, Raheim Sanders among former Gamecocks to watch in NFL preseason action

NFL preseason action is in full swing, and several former South Carolina Gamecocks will be suiting up across the league. On Friday and Saturday, there are a total of seven games to tune into, starting with the Carolina Panthers-Buffalo Bills matchup in the afternoon and ending with Cowboys-Seahawks in the evening window. 

There are several former South Carolina Gamecocks to keep an eye on, like Bills rookie safety Jalon Kilgore, fellow rookie Bryan Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars and Browns running back Raheim Sanders. 

Let's breakdown all the former Gamecocks to keep an eye on as Friday and Saturday's action kicks off. 

Friday, August 14 games

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will get the start for Atlanta in this one. Expect former Gamecock tight ends Joshua Simon and Nick Muse to get reps, as they are currently the second and third-team players on Atlanta's depth chart. 

For the Broncos, starting fullback Adam Prentice may not suit up since he is on the first team. But expect guys like former undrafted free agent and third-team tight end Nate Adkins to play.  

Tampa Bay Bucs at New York Jets: 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network 

Just one former Gamecock to keep an eye on here, in New York EDGE rusher Kingsley Enagbare, who is listed as the Jets' starting defensive end. Enangbare was drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers, where he finished with 146 total tackles and 11.5 sacks. 

Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders: 7 p.m. ET

In the final game of the night, we have a few former Gamecocks, in defensive tackle Alex Huntley from the Dolphins and the Commanders' defensive end Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Darius Rush. 

Huntley will likely see a lot of playing time, as he was a UDFA signing with Miami last year, spending the season on the Dolphins' practice squad. He is currently not listed on Miami's depth chart, which has several spots empty. Kinlaw is a clear-cut starter in Washington so he likely won't suit up. But Rush, who is Washington's third-string cornerback.  

Saturday, August 15 games

Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills: 1 p.m. ET 

Both of these teams have five former Gamecocks between the two of them, including three on the Carolina Panthers in cornerback Jaycee Horn, receiver Xavier Legette and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott. 

For the Bills, South Carolina is represented by rookie safety Jalon Kilgore, who Buffalo drafted in the fifth round, and defensive end T.J. Sanders.

Legette and Horn are first-team starters, so it is unlikely that they will see any playing time against the Browns. But we could see Martin-Scott get some reps on special teams. He has received plenty of buzz during Panthers training camp, coming off of a surprise rookie season last year as an undrafted prospect. He is looking to also earn more reps at linebacker with a crowded room at the position. 

As for Buffalo, rookie Kilgore will likely see plenty of reps as he settles into learning the Bills' defense. Sanders is likely to not play, as he is the first-team defensive end on Buffalo's defense.   

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears: 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network

Just two former Gamecocks to keep an eye in this one, both on the Cleveland Browns. Second-year running back Raheim Sanders is listed as Cleveland's third-string running back for this game, behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. He will likely see some reps, as the offense is playing both quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. 

Sanders spent some time last season with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, but was signed by Cleveland after getting cut. Last season for the Browns, he played in four games, getting 92 yards and a touchdown. 

Former Gamecock wideout Gage Larvadain will likely see playing time at both receiver and as a return man. He is listed third on the depth chart behind Denzel Boston and Cedric Tillman. He signed with Cleveland last year as a UDFA, and caught seven receptions for 71 yards, adding 167 return yards. 

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited  

Three Gamecocks to keep an eye on in this one, as the Vikings have offensive guard Vershon Lee, and the Giants with running back Dante Miller and defensive end Zacch Pickens. 

All three guys are expected to play. Lee was signed to the Vikings as an undrafted free agent last year, and spent the start of the season on the practice squad. He was elevated to Minnesota's active roster on Oct. 4 against the Cleveland Browns, but returned to the practice squad shortly thereafter. He signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota in January, and is listed as the Vikings' third-team guy at left guard. 

Miller has been with the Giants since 2023, signing with New York as an undrafted free agent. He's played in just two games for New York in 2024, and has spent most of his time on the practice squad. He is listed as the fourth-team running back, so he will get some reps on offense. 

Defensive end Zacch Pickens will likely see reps as well, listed as New York's second-team defensive end. He has bounced around the league quite a bit, starting with the Chicago Bears from 2023-2024, and spending last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has played in 29 games across his three seasons, registering 44 total tackles with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. 

Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints: 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited  

Three former Gamecocks to keep an eye on here!  Third-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start under center for the Saints on Saturday. He's expected to compete for the starting quarterback job this season along with Tyler Shough. Across his two seasons in New Orleans, he's played in 16 games, throwing for 2,903 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with 313 rushing yards. Former Gamecock center Torricelli Simpkins will get reps as the second-team center, as well. 

For Jacksonville, former Gamecock EDGE rusher Bryan Thomas Jr. will see reps on defense. He signed with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in April, and is listed as the fourth-team defensive end behind Josh Hines-Allen, B.J. Green II and Zach Dufree. His father, Bryan Thomas Sr., was a former first-round draft pick from 2002. He spent 10 seasons with the New York Jets, getting 33.5 career sacks. 

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network 

For Seattle, there are two former Gamecocks in second-year safety Nick Emmanwori and linebacker Ernest Jones IV. But it's unlikely either of them will play. Emmanwori is still rehabbing back from ankle surgery he had this offseason, but is pushing to be ready for Week 1 against New England. Jones is Seattle's first-team linebacker, so he will likely sit out.

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