Five Gamecocks who could hear their names called in the 2021 NFL Draft
South Carolina set a Muschamp-era high with four NFL Draft picks this weekend.
Could the program beat that number next season?
The current Gamecocks roster is a little light on seniors in line to be drafted, but the set of juniors offer some intriguing options. Who might hear their name called in the 2021 NFL Draft:
Seniors
Wide receiver Shi Smith
He’s been a starter basically since his first game. Not the tallest receiver, but he’s fast, explosive and has shown play-making skills throughout his career. He should have a chance to be showcased this season, as the Gamecocks have a lot of questions around him. If he can look like his 2018 self (673 yards, 15.0 average) rather than 2019 (489 and 11.4), he could get his name in the draft mix.
Offensive tackle Sadarius Hutcherson
The big, quick lineman looked into the draft this offseason before deciding to come back to school for a fifth year. He got a year of work at left tackle in 2019, but will move back to his more natural guard position this year. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he’s big, quick and enormously strong, which might earn him a call.
Juniors
Corner Jaycee Horn
Considering Gamecocks coaches have been high on his physical traits (6-foot-1 and long) from the start, Horn could easily be a candidate to leave early if his game takes another step forward. He was arguably South Carolina’s best defensive back the past two seasons, putting up 85 tackles, breaking up 17 passes and for the most part being reliable and — at times outstanding — in coverage. He’s already generating some buzz as being the top corner prospect in 2021 and has the NFL bloodlines with his father Joe’s lengthy pro career.
Corner Israel Mukuamu
He caught some flack from Gamecocks fans for some big plays he allowed in spots, notably against Tennessee. But he’s also 6-foot-4 and had some of the best numbers on the team when opponents actually threw his way last season. That height is something that will get him a look. If his game develops a little more, he could have a chance to go after three years. A set of mock drafts are already projecting him as a first rounder.
Offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine
This one requires a good bit of projection, but by all accounts he had put himself in good position to take the left tackle spot five practices into spring. If he’s good enough to do that quickly on the SEC level and he can play well in the spot, you can bet there would be some interest in a 6-foot-6, 337-pounder. This spot could also go to Dylan Wonnum, a junior who has started since his freshman season.
Other names to consider
Nick Muse: A senior, he has an interesting blend of receiving pop and size that could be a factor in the blocking game. If he progresses and can become a focal point of the passing game, he could work himself into that mix.
Dylan Wonnum: Health was an issue last year and his play wasn’t particularly spectacular, but he’s got talent and if he matures into it, he could be a candidate to jump after his junior season.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Five Gamecocks who could hear their names called in the 2021 NFL Draft."
