South Carolina's 2025 season has not followed the script that Gamecock fans wrote back in August, but the one thing that has been the silver lining in the chaos is the defensive unit for South Carolina. Can we give Clayton White a raise already? Even after sending a wave of talent to the NFL last spring, White's squad has carried more than its share this season. And now it looks like another Gamecock defender is positioning himself for a primetime moment next April.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller dropped his latest mock draft this week, and didn't just slip Brandon Cisse into the first round, he circled him as one of this class's cleanest fits. Miller projects the South Carolina cornerback to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 27 overall, calling the pairing "almost inevitable" based on the scheme and skillset.
Cisse, a former NC State transfer and Palmetto State native, has wasted no time proving that he belongs in the SEC. He has been one of the least-targeted corners in the league and for good reason. Opponent have completed only seven passes on 23 attempts in his direction. He has one interception, four breakups, a forced fumble, and he’s thrown himself into run support like a veteran CB. His 45.2% reception rate allowed is the lowest on South Carolina’s roster.
Miller lists Cisse as the No. 3 cornerback in the class behind Tennessee's Jerod McCoy and LSU’s Mansoor Delane. Cisse is also listed as fourth among all defensive backs overall. Only Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is projected higher among safeties or corners.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25, and if the early projections hold, South Carolina could see another defensive standout hear his name called early. The season may not have unfolded the way Columbia hoped, but players like Cisse is proof that the program continues to develop high-end talent.