South Carolina Football: Gamecock defensive back has impressive day at NFL Combine

The South Carolina football program sent five players to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Wide receiver Xavier Legette, quarterback Spencer Rattler, defensive back Marcellas Dial, tight end Trey Knox, and offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo made their way to Indianapolis in hopes of improving their NFL Draft stocks.

Knox and Dial began their drills and measurements on Friday. Knox, who is still nursing a torn hamstring that he battled through during the 2023 South Carolina football season, was a limited participant and did not run the 40-yard dash and only did some of the drills. Dial, though, boosted his NFL Draft stock with his showing.

The NFL Combine allows more athletic players to showcase their physical blessedness, and Dial was able to show off some intriguing traits that have teams thinking about where he might fit in the NFL Draft plans.

The cornerback measured in at 5'11 3/4 and 190 pounds; however, he boasted a nearly 6'6" wingspan, making him one of the longer corners in Indy. His arms measured 32" long, and he had decent-sized hands that measured almost 9".

During athletic testing, despite rocking a less-than-aerodynamic haircut, Dial ran a faster-than-expected 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. He backed that up with a 40.5" vertical jump, a number that was the 4th-best of all cornerbacks. An explosive 10'9" broad jump put him with the elite testes at the event, as well. All of his athletic numbers ranked in the top-10 for cornerbacks at the NFL Combine.

During his South Carolina football career, Marcellas Dial demonstrated some solid man coverage abilities, primarily working as an outside corner. He is an intriguing pro prospect who should get drafted this April. If taken, he should be selected late in the draft. After Rattler and Legette (who are locks to be selected), Dial is the next-most likely Gamecock to be drafted.