Josh Vann reflects on Gamecocks career, looks ahead to NFL
It was Pro Day for Gamecocks NFL Draft hopefuls, and all eyes were on Josh Vann.
He took his mark one more time to run a 40-yard dash inside the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility.
NFL scouts – all 32 clubs were represented – had stopwatches at the ready. When he was finished, the average was a 4.43 second mark.
In addition to the 40 yard dash time, Vann also turned in a 10 foot, 5 inch broad jump and a 36 inch vertical, plus solid work in the positional drills.
It was even more impressive considering that Vann had only recently finished up rehabbing a knee injury that cost him the end of his collegiate career.
In the first quarter of South Carolina’s regular season finale against Clemson, Vann made a 34-yard catch toward the Tigers’ sideline, but landed awkwardly.
“Everything happened so fast,” Vann recalled during a recent appearance on the Garnet Trust Hour on 107.5 The Game. “I was in shock when it happened, more scared than anything. That’s why I was down so long, I was just scared.”
Once Vann got up, he headed to the injury tent on the South Carolina sideline. He saw Dr. Jeffrey Guy, who informed him he was done for the day.
“When it happened, of course, I’m trying to get back out there and play,” Vann recalled. “Five minutes went by and I couldn’t put pressure on it.”
Although South Carolina was down 14-0 at the time to its in-state rival, the team would climb back into the contest and score a one-point victory over Clemson.
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“I’m just happy we came out with a win that day,” Vann said.
Later on, testing revealed a largely positive outcome, as he had sustained an LCL strain.
“Nothing was torn, fortunately. Everything was swollen literally from my butt all the way down to my calf. It was pretty bad,” said Vann.
Although he would not be able to participate in the Gator Bowl with his teammates, Vann was able to begin rehab. He traveled to Pensacola, Florida, training alongside other futures professionals.
He was fitted with a knee brace for the first time in his life. Although it was not as bad as it could have been from a physical standpoint, it was nonetheless a difficult time for Vann.
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“That process was very long. It was a lot of dark days for me because that’s the first time I’ve ever had a knee injury” he explained. “You’ve got to make yourself get up in the morning. When I do get to the facility, I can’t do everything. I have to see all the other players from all over compete and get better. I’m just watching from the windows. I couldn’t do anything because my knee was still swollen. Eventually, I was able to get out there.”
Vann has come a long way since signing early with the Gamecocks as a member of the 2018 recruiting class.
He’s seen individual and team ups and downs, and he’s become a father.
Now, it’s time for the next step in his personal and professional life.
“Just looking through all the years of what I’ve accomplished, all the different teams for those five years, just seeing where I am now, it’s crazy,” he said. “Just to be able to put all that together and go out there last Monday and showcase everything that I’m capable of, it was really good to experience and show that.”
