Three Gamecocks selected in 2026 NFL draft
By Jaydon Ford | April 25In the 2026 NFL draft, three Gamecocks were drafted over seven rounds.
In the 2026 NFL draft, three Gamecocks were drafted over seven rounds.
As spring football kicks off, South Carolina starts to preface its new faces, coaches and staff. As spring practice continues, the rebuild that the program went through becomes more apparent. This year, it isn't just new faces but also new spring practice layout, new priorities and a refresh on the playbook.
2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore hangs up the cleats following 13 NFL seasons playing for six franchises.
South Carolina junior cornerback Brandon Cisse emerged as a rotational contributor during the 2025-26 season, showing promise as an interior defender with size and run-stopping ability. Continued development in technique, pass-rush moves and conditioning could allow him to become a larger presence in the pros.
Redshirt sophomore running back Christian Clark is excited for the opportunity to join the Gamecocks for the 2026 season. The former Texas running back joins a crowded running back room featuring multiple new players but looks to expand on a promising finish to last season.
Ohio State transfer Sam Dixon is one of South Carolina's newest additions to the running back room. Alongside four returners and two other transfers, the running back squad, under new running backs coach Stan Drayton, already displays more depth and grit.
Defensive back Jalon Kilgore is one of the Gamecocks looking to be selected in this year's NFL Draft.
South Carolina football had many faces enter and exit the team through the transfer portal. Redshirt senior offensive lineman showcases his leadership abilities through his past experiences at Northern Arizona University.
Through the transfer portal, senior edge Caleb Herring committed to South Carolina over other Southeastern Conference teams for multiple reasons. The coaches’ honesty and vision for the future caught his attention, but South Carolina fans ultimately made the decision easier with their genuine support and clear desire to see him join the team.
Former South Carolina special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Joe DeCamillis is making his return to the NFL. He spent two season with the Gamecocks and has several NFL stops and coached at University of Texas for a year as a special assistant to the head coach.
South Carolina football head coach Shane Beamer outlined the program’s recruiting approach during a recent media availability, detailing the balance between high school recruiting and transfer portal additions. Beamer emphasized the importance of building the roster through high school prospects while using the portal to address immediate positional needs with experienced players. He also discussed standards for player movement, roster management and how recruiting fits into the program’s long-term development in the SEC.
Four members of the South Carolina football team have been invited to the NFL scouting combine held from Feb. 23-March 2.
The NFC and AFC's best face off in Super Bowl LX with three former Gamecocks on the teams' rosters. Safety Nick Emmanwori and linebacker Ernest Jones IV represent the Seattle Seahawks, while cornerback Marcellas Dial represents the New England Patriots.
Spearheaded behind the new hire of offensive line coach Randy Clements, South Carolina football's offensive line group will look much different for the 2026-27 season.
Gamecock football ends the transfer portal window welcoming 25 new players to roster, headlined by new experience on the offensive line, several running backs with years of eligibility, and some new juice on the defensive end.
Though Stan Drayton is new to the South Carolina coaching staff, he has past connections in Columbia. Drayton and head coach Shane Beamer's coaching careers came full circle through their time in Starkville and past players, NFL and college.
Several former South Carolina Gamecocks have made their marks in the National Football League. Spanning from over a decade's worth of talent at the collegiate level, numerous veterans and rookies recorded prominent stats in the 2025 NFL season.
