Five former South Carolina football players will participate in the NFL Combine.
The NFL Combine will look a little different this year, with all participants having to do virtual training instead of traveling to Indianapolis. Five of these participants will be former South Carolina Gamecocks, with Jaycee Horn, Israel Mukuamu, Ernest Jones, Shi Smith and Sadarius Hutcherson planning to showcase their talents to NFL executives. Combine will be included as part of Gamecocks’ Pro Day.
The two defenders, Horn and Mukuamu, opted to forgo the last three games of the season instead of professional preparations. The timing of these withdrawals coincided with the dismissal of then coach Will Muschamp.
The other three players ended the year, with Smith and Hutcherson receiving Pro Football Focus All-SEC honors.
Horn will probably be the first Gamecock to leave the board in the April draft, as he is considered a consensus choice in the first round. Most believe it will fall somewhere in the 15-25 choice range and should have an immediate impact on the NFL squad this fall.
Horn ended the year with two interceptions and six pass separations. If the predictions come true, he will be the sixth Gamecock to be chosen in the first round since 2012.
Smith and Mukuamu intend to be picked up in the next few days, while Hutcherson and Jones may have to find their next destination in the free agency period.
Each will do their best to separate from the other 300+ players who will also participate in the NFL Combine, as they seek to impress scouts at the next level and begin their professional careers.