Gamecocks in the NFL: Season recap

With Super Bowl LVI week upon us and no former Gamecocks standing, it’s time to recap the year that was in the NFL. Here’s a look at how the 2022 season went for the over two dozen former South Carolina Gamecocks in the league.

Damiere Byrd – FALCONS
Byrd finished his seventh season tying a career-high in receiving touchdowns (two). The wide out added 13 receptions for 268 yards. He also set a new career-high with a long of 75 yards on a reception.

Rashad Fenton – FALCONS
In the final hour of the NFL trade deadline, Fenton was traded to the Falcons by the Chiefs in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick. Appearing in just two games with Atlanta, Fenton did most of his damage on the field when we have still with KC. In all, he had 28 total tackles, including 21 solo tackles and defended two passes.

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Kingsley Enagbare – PACKERS
The rookie appeared in all 17 games for Green Bay. He racked up 31 total tackles, three sacks, and defended three passes.

Keisean Nixon – PACKERS
After three seasons with the Raiders, a fresh start with Green Bay in 2022 led Nixon to have a season to remember. While he had career highs in games played (17), total tackles (23), solo tackles (18), forced fumbles (1), interceptions (1), and passes defended (2), his work on special teams is where he really shined. Nixon led the league with 1,009 on kickoff returns. He became just the third player in Packers history to lead the NFL in that category. He also scored on a 105-yard kickoff return and added 140 yards on 11 punt returns.

Ernest Jones – RAMS
A year after winning the Super Bowl as a rookie, Jones saw his role with the Rams increase in year two. The linebacker finished second on the team in total tackles (114). He also forced a fumble, had an interception, and defended two passes.

Jadeveon Clowney – BROWNS
Clowney’s season was once again plagued by injuries. Appearing in just 12 games, the nine-year veteran finished with 28 tackles, two sacks, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble.

Ryan Succop – Buccaneers
2022 marked the 14th NFL season for Succop. While he tied a season-low for most missed field goals in a seven (seven) five of them came on kicks of 50 yards or more. He also attempted the most 50-yard field goals he’s ever had in a season. Succop was 31/38 on field goals and 24/25 on PAT to finish with 117 points. His long came on a 54-yard field goal in Week 6 against the Steelers.

D.J. Wonnum – VIKINGS
The DE finished his third season in the league with 38 total tackles, four sacks, and forced a fumble.

Nick Muse – VIKINGS
The rookie began the year on the practice squad but was elevated to the 53-man roster for the majority of the season. He appeared in ten games with his role being served on special teams.

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Kevin Harris – PATRIOTS
Harris made of the most out of his opportunities and appeared in five games. He rushed for 52 yards on 18 carries. His lone touchdown came on Monday Night Football against the Cardinals in Week 14.

Dennis Daley – TITANS
After being traded by the Panthers to the Titans before the start of the season, the Ridge View product was part of an OL that struggled. While Daley led the league for most of the season for sacks allowed, Tennessee’s OL as a whole ranked last in PFF pass-blocking efficiency over the season.

A.J. Cann – TEXANS
In his first season with the Texans, Cann became a vital part of Houston’s OL. He signed with the Texans in the offseason after spending the first seven years of his career with the Jaguars.

Chris Lammons – BENGALS
After mainly playing on special teams this season for the Chiefs, Lammons was released by KC the week of the AFC Championship Game. The DB was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Bengals deferred the waiver claim until the day after Super Bowl LVII. This meant Lammons wouldn’t be able to play for Cincinnati this year. It also prevented the Chiefs from being able to bring Lammons back for the rest of the postseason, someone who had been a core piece to their special teams.

Taylor Stallworth – TEXANS
The DT began the season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. He was elevated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 12 before being released on Dec. 6. The next day he was claimed off waivers by the Texans. He was placed on IR due to a calf injury, which sidelined him for the Texans final four games. In all, he recorded four tackles in one game played.

Stephon Gilmore – COLTS
It was a record setting year for Gilmore. The CB set a new high for tackles (66) and solo tackles (53). He also had two interceptions.

Mike Davis – FREE AGENT
Davis had a limited role this season with the Ravens before being released by the team on Dec. 10. He rushed for 18 yards on eight carries and appeared in eight games. A fumble in Week 1 seemed to be the turning point for his usage.

Zack Bailey – CHARGERS
The OL appeared in one game in the regular season (Week 13).

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Hayden Hurst – BENGALS
A new home proved to be exactly what Hurst needed. In his first year with the Bengals, Hurst had 52 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. He also strung together an impressive postseason run, where he scored another touchdown.

Javon Kinlaw – 49ERS
Kinlaw missed most of the season with a knee injury. He was limited to just four games in the regular season, where he racked up four tackles. He actually had more tackles in the playoffs (five) in two games. In three seasons, Kinlaw has missed 26 games. Not including the playoffs, he’s appeared in just ten regular season games over the past two years.

Deebo Samuel – 49ERS
Despite an injury slowing Samuel down, he still put together another solid season. Samuel finished with 864 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.

Melvin Ingram III – DOLPHINS
Ingram appeared in all 17 regular season games for the Dolphins. He finished with 22 total tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and forced a fumble.

ZaQuandre White – DOLPHINS
The rookie RB began the year on the Dolphins’ practice squad. He was released on Oct. 17.

Brandon Shell – DOLPHINS
Shell had a productive season with the Dolphins and allowed just two sacks. He played most of his snaps at right tackle but also played left tackle.

Bryan Edwards – FREE AGENT
The wide out was traded to Falcons in the offseason but failed to find a consistent role. He had just three receptions for 15 yards during his time with Atlanta before being released on Nov. 24. He was signed to the Chiefs practice squad on Nov. 28 but was cut on Jan. 4.

Jaycee Horn – PANTHERS
The second-year defensive back had his season end due to wrist surgery in Dec. Prior to that, he had 53 total tackles, three interceptions, and defended seven passes.

Israel Mukuamu – COWBOYS
‘Izzy’ appeared in 15 games and had 17 tackles. 12 of those tackles were solo and he also had his first career interception.

Rico Dowdle – COWBOYS
The running back appeared in just five games for Dallas and mainly played on special teams. He finished the year with one tackle.

Shi Smith – PANTHERS
Smith had his most production year in the league and appeared in all 17 games. He compiled 296 yards on 22 receptions and two touchdowns. On special teams he returned 23 punts for 143 yards.

Carlins Platel – STEELERS
The rookie was having a strong training camp before suffering a knee injury. He was placed on IR before the start of the season.

Adam Prentice – SAINTS
The fullback appeared in 11 games and rushed for nine yards on four carries. He also had three receptions for nine yards.

Elliott Fry – CARDINALS
Fry was released by the Jaguars and placed on IR before the start of the season. He signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona on Jan. 11

Parker White – PACKERS
USC’s all-time scoring leader signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on Jan. 10

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