South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock starter getting some NFL Draft buzz

The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, and several Gamecocks are expected to be taken during the three-day event. South Carolina fans know that wide receiver Xavier Legette and quarterback Spencer Rattler will be selected, and tight end Trey Knox, cornerback Marcellas Dial, and offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo have good chances of being taken. Even speedy wide receiver Ahmarean Brown has received some late-round buzz.

According to a report from XPandSports' Tanner Phifer, former South Carolina football EDGE Jordan Strachan has received some NFL Draft interest. Phifer says that league sources have told him that Strachan has been contacted by at least eight NFL franchises, including the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints.

Strachan still is far from a lock to be taken in this weekend's NFL Draft, but the multi-team interest appears to bode well for his chances to get a shot with a team in some way, whether at the back end of the draft or as an undrafted free agent after the draft ends.

During his South Carolina football career, Strachan was with the team for three seasons, though he missed most of the 2022 campaign with a torn ACL. After walking on to the Georgia State Panthers program in 2017, he spent four years with the team and was an All-Sun Belt performer before transferring to the Gamecocks. He used a redshirt from Georgia State and the "Covid redshirt" to get a sixth year of eligibility for 2022, but because of his injury, he was awarded a 7th year in 2023.

As a Gamecock, Strachan tallied 8 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. His best game (and biggest moment) came against the Kentucky Wildcats in 2023 when he logged 2 sacks, including a strip sack that helped seal the win and SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.

For much of his career, Strachan bounced back and forth between the defensive end and outside linebacker positions, and he could do the same at the NFL level depending on where he ends up signing.