South Carolina stars earn first-round grades in way-too-early look at 2026 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, and South Carolina football saw five players selected during this year’s event. Safety Nick Emmanwori (round two, pick three; 35th overall), defensive lineman TJ Sanders (round two, pick nine; 41st overall), linebacker Demetrius Knight (round two, pick 17; 49th overall), EDGE Kyle Kennard (round four, pick 23; 125th overall), and defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway (round four, pick 33; 135th overall), all will have a chance to pursue their NFL dreams. Several other Gamecocks have already signed undrafted free agent contracts, too.
South Carolina could have a strong representation in the 2026 NFL Draft, too. A recent projection from Walter Football included two Gamecocks football products as defensive back Jalon Kilgore and quarterback LaNorris Sellers earned first-round grades.
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According to the projection, Kilgore could come off the board as early as the 12th overall pick. In Walter Football’s mock, that pick belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kilgore has played both nickel and safety for South Carolina. However, he’s most likely a safety at the NFL level, and the Jaguars could use some help at the position. If the prediction proved true, Kilgore would be the eighth defender selected and third safety.
In the early first-round mock, Walter Football also has Sellers going to the Los Angeles Rams at pick No. 20. The Rams have Matthew Stafford under center, but 2026 is his last year under contract, and retirement could come calling. Sellers is a different style of quarterback, but an offensive mind like head coach Sean McVay could figure out how to use the talented Gamecock.
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An incomplete but updated version of the prognostication has Sellers going No. 7 to the Cleveland Browns and Kilgore going 20th to the Minnesota Vikings. In that hypothetical, Sellers is the third quarterback off the board and fifth overall player from the SEC. Kilgore again is the third safety taken.
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Other South Carolina players are intriguing names for the 2026 NFL Draft. Junior wide receiver Nyck Harbor is probably the biggest name after Sellers and Kilgore. If he has a strong third season with the Gamecocks, his physical tools (6-5, 235 pounds, and elite sprint speed) could push him into early-draft consideration, too.
