The Gamecocks had several major targets pare their favorite schools lists.
#1 national offensive tackle David Sanders released his top-6, and the Gamecocks made the cut.
#1 national defensive tackle Elijah Griffin put out his top-12, and Carolina is one of his favorites.
4-star safety JaDon Blair released a top-10, and USC is on his list.
The NFL Combine welcomed 5 South Carolina Gamecocks, and the players’ performances likely helped their NFL Draft stocks.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette wowed the scouts in attendance. Weighing in at 221 pounds, he ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and put up a 40″ vertical. Other players who put up those testing numbers average 203 pounds. His overall physical testing (measurements, athletic testing, etc.) ranks in the top-50 all-time at the NFL Draft.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler didn’t show off elite athleticism (he wasn’t expected to do so), but he had a strong showing throwing the football. As the top-3 QBs in the draft are set and didn’t participate, Rattler likely helped himself. Quarterbacks 4-8 are pretty interchangeable in the draft, and while JJ McCarthy probably solidified himself as #4, Rattler has as good of a chance as any to be the 5th man taken as the position. Rattler also impressed in front of the microphone.
Cornerback Marcellas Dial posted better athletic testing numbers than anticipated. Dial ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash and had a vertical leap of 40.5″. He is not a guaranteed player to be drafted, but his showing in Indianapolis has moved him into the “likely drafted” camp.
Tight end Trey Knox was a limited participant in NFL Combine drills as he is still dealing with the final stages of recovery after a hamstring tear from last season. Knox impressed at the podium, and he has a chance to be drafted late in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo will finish testing on Monday. The big fella is a bit of a long shot to be selected in the draft, but so was Jalen Brooks, and even after a tough combine last year, the Carolina receiver was picked up in the 7th round by the Dallas Cowboys. Gargiulo showed some slightly better-than-expected testing numbers on Sunday, and his versatility (started games at center, guard, and tackle in his career) could intrigue a team enough to take a late-round flyer on Gargiulo.
