Gamecocks in the NFL: Final season stats

With Super Bowl LVIII in the books, it’s time to recap the year that was in the NFL for former South Carolina Gamecocks.

A few numbers to mention before we get to our individual recaps, which will only include regular season statistics. Since August, 35 Gamecocks were on NFL teams. Of those 35, 26 appeared in at least one game.

Here’s a look at how each of those players did this year, as well as players who were waived by teams either at the start or during the season.

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Kevin Harris – PATRIOTS
The second year running appeared in the Patriots final four games of the season. He rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries and scored one touchdown. Harris also caught three passes for 58 yards and returned one kickoff for 20 yards.

Ernest Jones – RAMS
Despite missing two games, the veteran linebacker set a new Rams record for tackles in a season with 145. Jones also had 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and defended six passes.

Adam Prentice – SAINTS
Appearing in 13 games, the fullback rushed for 12 yards on two carries. He also caught two passes for 12 yards and added five tackles through his contributions on special teams.

Darius Rush – STEELERS
Finding a home with the Steelers, the rookie appeared in three games and racked up three tackles and defended one pass.

Zack Bailey – CHARGERS
The offensive lineman was plagued by with injuries. He ended his season on IR with a back injury.

Jovaughn Gwyn – FALCONS
The rookie offensive lineman made his NFL debut in Week 14 when he appeared in one snap on special teams against the Buccaneers. It would be Gwyn’s only snap of the season.

Chris Lammons – COLTS
The DB appeared in four games and finished with six tackles while defended one pass.

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Nick Muse – VIKINGS
The tight end recorded his first NFL reception in Week 18 for 22 yards. Muse also had one tackle.

D.J. Wonnum – VIKINGS
Wonnum’s season ended early after partially tearing his quad in Week 16. He finished with 62 tackles, eight sacks, seven tackles for loss and defended six passes. Wonnum also scored on a 51-yard fumble recovery in Week 4 against the Panthers.

Jaycee Horn – PANTHERS
A freak hamstring injury Week 1, kept Horn on the sideline until Week 13. He finished the year recording 27 tackles and one tackle for loss while also defending five passes.

Hayden Hurst – PANTHERS
The tight end missed the final eight games after suffering a concussion. The concussion led to Hurst being placed on IR after dealing with post-traumatic amnesia from the hit he took against the Bears. He finished with 18 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.

Kingsley Enagbare – PACKERS
Not inncluding the postseason, the outside linebacker was credited with 37 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks. Enagbare also forced and recovered a fumble.

Keisean Nixon – PACKERS
The veteran defensive back filled up the stat sheet in all three phases. In the regular season, he finished with 80 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. Defending six passes, he also recovered two fumbles and rushed for 11 yards on one carry. Nixon also returned 30 kickoffs for 782 yards and 14 punt returns for 95 yards.

Zacch Pickens – BEARS
The rookie appeared in all 17 games and recorded 20 tackles. He was credited with one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, and forced a fumble.

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Nate Adkins – BRONCOS
Seeing the majority of his snaps on special teams, the tight end still managed to catch four passes for 22 yards. Adkins also had a tackle.

Jalen Brooks – COWBOYS
Appearing in seven regular season games, Brooks caught six passes for 64 yards.

Rico Dowdle – COWBOYS
In 16 regular season games, Dowdle rushed for 361 yards on 89 carries with two rushing touchdowns. He also had 144 yards receiving on 17 receptions and with two receiving touchdowns. Dowdle added one tackle as well.

Stephon Gilmore – COWBOYS
Recording 68 tackles in the regular season, Gilmore also had two interceptions and forced a fumble.

Israel Mukuamu – COWBOYS
The third year defensive back finished with six tackles while defending one pass and recovering one fumble.

Jadeveon Clowney – RAVENS
Reaching the AFC Championship Game for the first time in his career, the 2014 first overall pick finished with 43 tackles in the regular season and tied a career best with 9.5 sacks. Clowney added nine tackles for loss, defended five passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered a a fumble.

Javon Kinlaw – 49ERS
Reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in his career, Kinlaw finished with 25 tackles in the regular season including four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also defended three passes.

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Deebo Samuel – 49ERS
Samuel played in his second career Super Bowl and put together another strong year. In the regular season, he hauled in 60 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 225 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries. In addition, Samuel also returned six kickoffs for 154 yards.

Dennis Daley – CARDINALS
The offensive lineman appeared in three games and played a total of 77 snaps between offense and special teams.

Rashad Fenton – CARDINALS
Fenton began the year and finished the year on IR with an undisclosed injury.

Melvin Ingram – DOLPHINS
Signing with the Dolphins late in the year, including the postseason, Ingram played in Miami’s final four games. In his three regular season games, he compiled seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one sack.

Cam Smith – DOLPHINS
The rookie defensive back appeared in 15 games with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams. He finished with two tackles.

**Shi Smith
Smith was cut by the Panthers prior to the start of the season. He was then signed to the Titans’ practice squad before his contract expired at the end of the season. On Jan. 17, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs.

**Taylor Stallworth 
The defensive tackle had stints with four different teams in 2023 including the Texans (twice), Panthers, Titans, and 49ers. With the Titans, he appeared in his lone five snaps of the season. He was released by San Francisco in late December.

**Damiere Byrd
Byrd had stints with the Panthers, Falcons. and Texans in 2023. He appeared in one game (with the Falcons) and played a total of 19 snaps.

**Josh Vann
After being released by the Panthers before Week 1, Vann remained a free agent throughout the season. Recently, he signed a contract to play for the Memphis Showboats in the UFL.

**Kobe Smith
Smith was released by the Giants prior to Week 1. Last month he signed a contract to play for the  St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL.

**Brandon Shell 
During the middle of training camp with the Buffalo Bills, Shell announced his retirement from the NFL.

**Joseph Charlton
The punter was released by the Browns on August 4.

**Elliott Fry
Fry was released by the Broncos on August 15.

**Bryan Edwards
The wide out was released by the Saints on August 22.

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