There are 32 former Gamecocks playing in the 2018 NFL season, but three of them are closer than fans might think. This season, Gamecock fans can travel less than two hours on I-77 to Charlotte, North Carolina, to see some South Carolina-grown talent on the Carolina Panthers team.
The Carolina Panthers boasts the largest number of former Gamecocks among NFL clubs this season with wide receiver/kick returner Damiere Byrd, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and offensive tackle Corey Robinson.
Byrd is a 2014 graduate of South Carolina who spent four years with the Gamecocks under former head coach Steve Spurrier and is in his third season with the Panthers. He made his professional debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 1, 2017.
Coming off a set of injuries last season which resulted in Byrd appearing in only eight games, he is anticipated to have a breakout year for the Panthers in 2018. Currently, Byrd is facing a lower-body injury and was ruled out in the Panther’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons this past weekend.
Munnerlyn, is currently in his second stint with the Panthers. With the Gamecocks, he played in 36 games with 28 starts from 2006 to 2008 before getting drafted by the Panthers in 2009 in the seventh round, 216th overall.
The 10-year vet spent five seasons in Charlotte from 2009 to 2013 before signing with the Minnesota Vikings on a three-year, $11.25 million deal from 2014 to 2016. Munnerlyn returned to the Panthers last season as part of a four-year deal which will end in 2020. Last season he played in all of the Carolina Panther's regular season games and in one playoff game in 2017 – notching 30 tackles, two sacks and five passes defended. This season he's recorded four tackles in two games played against the Dallas Cowboys and Falcons.
During his time with the Gamecocks, offensive tackle Corey Robinson, 26, appeared in all 13 games during the 2014 season and made 35 starts throughout his collegiate career. He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Detroit Lions. He started in five games last season filling in on the Lions' offensive line. This month, Robinson was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a draft pick and has played in two games with the team so far.
Gamecock fans will have multiple opportunities to catch other former Gamecocks play at Bank of America Stadium this fall. Tight-end Hayden Hurst, running back Mike Davis and defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth are scheduled to play in Charlotte with their respective teams. Hurst and the Baltimore Ravens will come to Charlotte on Oct. 28, Davis and the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 25 and Stallworth and the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 17.