South Carolina junior defensive back Jalon Kilgore has decided to declare for the NFL Draft, choosing to forgo his final year of college eligibility, joining fellow junior DB Brandon Cisse in turning pro. Losing two of your top cover guys in the same cycle is a big structural shift for the Gamecocks secondary. It will force Beamer and the coaching staff to rethink on roster planning and defensive identity next fall.
Kilgore Has NFL Draft Stock
Kilgore possesses NFL-level size and instincts. Combine that with ball skills and versatility to play multiple roles in a pro secondary, and his stock is no joke. Scouting outlets have Kilgore ranked in the mid rounds, appearing around Round 4 in mock drafts and big boards. Although some have projected him as high as Day 2 in the right scheme.
According to ProFootballNetwork, Kilgore is slotted in the back half of the Top 100 prospects. While he may not be an elite talent, he is absolutely draftable and scheme flexible. His best case has teams that will value his length, physicality in zones, and ball production. The concerns lie with deep speed consistency and man coverage refinement.
Impact on South Carolina
Losing both Kilgore and Cisse will shake up a defense that has leaned on their back-end playmaking. The Gamecock coaching staff will need to accelerate development or recruit transfers to fill the gap.
Underclassmen like Kilgore can finalize their decision by mid-January. With his hat now thrown in the ring, teams will watch his workout metrics, positional testing, and scheme fit ahead of the draft.