South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock named All-Pro again

South Carolina football fans were a little upset last week when a handful of Gamecocks were snubbed from the 2023-2024 NFL Pro Bowl.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Ernest Jones, defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and cornerback/kick returner Keisean Nixon were among the players viewed as snubbed by the Gamecock Faithful.

Samuel, despite missing three games, put up over 1100 yards and 12 touchdowns this season and set an all-time record for receiver rushing touchdowns. Jones, even though he missed two games, set a new all-time Rams franchise record for tackles (145) in a single season. Clowney was among the NFL's leaders in quarterback hurries and tied his career-high in sacks with 9.5. Gilmore was a big-time player on one of the league's best defenses in Dallas. Nixon, as he was last season, was one of the top kickoff returners in football.

One of those Gamecock snubs, though, received an honor on Wednesday that helps make up for the Pro Bowl snub.

Keisean Nixon was named to the NFLPA All-Pro team, making the squad as a 1st-team kick returner, the same honor he received last season.Though he did not have a return touchdown like he did last season, Nixon led the NFL in total kick return yardage (782 yards) and yards per return (26.1 yards per attempt) this season. He had a good year in Green Bay as a defensive back, but he was a weapon for the Packers on special teams.

Earning the All-Pro moniker from his peers is a special distinction for Nixon, and he is the only Gamecock to receive it this year.

It would be unsurprising to see Nixon make the AP All-Pro team when it is released soon. Samuel and Jones are also candidates to make that team, as well. Samuel, Jones, Nixon, Clowney, and Gilmore all could make their way to the Pro Bowl as alternates.