Trio of South Carolina football products named undrafted players to watch in NFL
South Carolina football saw five players selected in this April’s NFL Draft. That was slightly fewer than expected, but a long list of former Gamecocks followed the draft with undrafted free agent contracts. This week, three of these UDFA signees earned distinction from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
In a story titled “One UDFA to watch for all 32 NFL teams” from PFF’s Ben Cooper, running back Rocket Sanders, cornerback O’Donnell Fortune, and wide receiver Gage Larvadain were mentioned as players to watch for the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns, respectively.
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Sanders, who transferred to South Carolina following three years at Arkansas, had a tremendous senior season. He logged nearly 1200 yards from scrimmage and scored 13 total touchdowns, including a game-winning rumble through half of the Missouri defense in the closing seconds of the Gamecocks’ come-from-behind victory. The talented running back projected as a likely NFL Draft selection but signed with the Chargers as a free agent. The Chargers also signed USC receiver Dalevon Campbell after the draft and invited EDGE Gilber Edmond to rookie camp.
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Fortune was another South Carolina alum many projected to go in the 2025 draft. The fifth-year senior cornerback was a full-time starter for two seasons and was the team’s unquestioned top coverman in 2024. He logged the third-best coverage grade in the country according to PFF’s numbers last fall. He also had three interceptions but had two pick-sixes wiped from the board after a penalty and a replay review. Fortune earned the Defensive MVP award at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Following the disappointment of going undrafted, Fortune found himself with the Giants within just a few days.
A transfer from Miami (OH), Larvadain spent his final year with South Carolina. He was a solid player in Columbia but dealt with a couple of nagging injuries. Even so, he was third on the team in catches from the wide receiver position and was one of just four who registered a touchdown reception. Larvadain landed with the Browns as a player who can help out at receiver or on special teams.
