When South Carolina fans finish watching the Gamecocks on Saturday, there will be plenty of familiar faces to follow when the NFL season begins.
There are former Gamecocks scattered across the league—from established stars such as Deebo Samuel, Jaycee Horn and Jadeveon Clowney to young players such as Brandon Cisse, Jalon Kilgore and Nick Barrett trying to establish themselves.
Here are the former Gamecocks I’ll be watching and what I want to see from each of them as the 2026 NFL season gets underway.
Brandon Cisse, CB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay didn’t select Brandon Cisse in the second round to sit and watch.
The former Gamecock has already worked with the first-team defense and has an opportunity to earn a significant role in the Packers’ secondary. He may not begin the season as a full-time starter, but I expect Green Bay to find ways to get him on the field.
What am I watching? How quickly his athletic ability translates to the NFL.
Cisse has the speed, a 41-inch vertical jump and the willingness to come downhill and tackle. Now he has to prove he can hold up when NFL quarterbacks begin testing the rookie.
Keep your eyes on No. 2. The upside is real.
Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks
Nick Emmanwori is no longer simply an exciting young player. After earning All-Rookie recognition and helping Seattle win a Super Bowl, expectations have changed.
Now I want to see him take the next step and become one of the most disruptive defensive backs in the league.
Emmanwori has the size of a linebacker, the athletic ability of a cornerback and the versatility to line up almost anywhere. Seattle can use him near the line of scrimmage, over the slot or in space against tight ends.
His ceiling is incredibly high. The question is whether he begins turning all that ability into consistent game-changing production.
Ernest Jones IV, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Ernest Jones has become exactly what South Carolina fans thought he could become: the quarterback of an NFL defense.
He plays fast, communicates well and brings a physical presence to the middle of Seattle’s defense. Jones already has two Super Bowl championships with two different organizations, and now he begins another season as one of the leaders of the defending champions.
What I’ll be watching is how Seattle uses Jones and Emmanwori together. That is a lot of speed, physicality and Gamecock attitude in the middle of one defense.
Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo is back where he belongs.
After returning to San Francisco, Samuel once again gives Kyle Shanahan one of the most versatile offensive weapons in football. He can catch the ball downfield, work underneath, line up in the backfield and turn a five-yard play into a touchdown.
The question with Deebo is never talent. It’s health and how consistently San Francisco gets the football into his hands.
I want to see whether the 49ers make him a centerpiece of the offense again. When Deebo is healthy, involved and running angry, there still aren’t many players in football quite like him.
Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers
Jaycee Horn has already proven he can cover NFL receivers. When healthy, he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
The words “when healthy” have followed Horn throughout his career, however, and that remains the biggest thing to watch.
Carolina needs Horn on the field because he changes what the Panthers can do defensively. They can put him on the opponent’s best receiver and give help somewhere else.
If Horn stays healthy for an entire season, the recognition will follow. The ability has never been the question.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
This is an important season for Xavier Legette.
The physical tools are obvious. He is big, strong, fast and dangerous with the football in his hands. At some point, however, potential has to become consistent production.
I want to see Legette become more than a complementary receiver. I want to see him demand targets, win contested catches and become someone opposing defensive coordinators have to account for every week.
This could be the season when Legette takes that step.
T.J. Sanders, DL, Buffalo Bills
T.J. Sanders showed flashes during his rookie season, but now Buffalo needs him to become a consistent presence along the defensive front.
Sanders has the quickness to penetrate and disrupt plays before they develop. What I’ll be watching is whether he becomes more consistent against the run while creating pressure from the interior.
He has an opportunity to move into a much larger role. Now he has to take it.
Jalon Kilgore, S, Buffalo Bills
Jalon Kilgore may be one of the most interesting Gamecock rookies to follow.
Buffalo selected him in the fifth round, but he has never played like someone who lacks confidence. Kilgore has size, length and enough versatility to cover the slot, match up with tight ends and support the run.
His immediate path onto the field will probably begin with special teams and situational defensive snaps. Don’t be surprised if his role grows as the season progresses.
Kilgore has always had a nose for the football. That tends to travel.
Jadeveon Clowney, DL, Houston Texans
Jadeveon Clowney’s career has come full circle with his return to Houston.
He may not be the same player who entered the NFL as the first overall selection, but he can still set the edge, disrupt the running game and create problems for an offensive line.
At this stage of his career, Clowney doesn’t have to carry a defense. Houston has enough talent around him that he can play his role, stay fresh and attack.
I’ll be watching how much he has left in the tank. My guess is more than some people think.
Kai Kroeger, P, Houston Texans
Punters don’t usually receive much attention unless something goes wrong, but Gamecock fans know how valuable Kai Kroeger can be.
Kroeger can flip the field, place the ball inside the 20 and even give Houston the threat of a fake. Field position matters in the NFL, especially in close games.
South Carolina fans watched Kroeger become a weapon. Now he gets an opportunity to prove he can do the same thing at the next level.
Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Demetrius Knight enters his second season with considerably higher expectations.
He showed enough as a rookie to earn a larger role, and now Cincinnati needs him to become a reliable every-down linebacker.
Knight brings maturity, physicality and leadership. I want to see him become more decisive, attack downhill and establish himself as one of the central pieces of the Bengals’ defense.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, RB, Cleveland Browns
Rocket Sanders spent much of his rookie season fighting for an opportunity. Now he enters 2026 on Cleveland’s active roster with a chance to earn carries.
The talent has never been difficult to see. Rocket is a big back who can run through contact but still has enough speed to produce explosive plays.
His first job will be proving his value on special teams and making the most of limited offensive opportunities. Running backs can climb a depth chart quickly. One injury or one productive series can change everything.
Rico Dowdle, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rico Dowdle has made a career out of being underestimated.
He wasn’t drafted, fought his way into the league and has repeatedly shown he can produce when given carries. Now he enters the season as Pittsburgh’s No. 2 running back behind Jaylen Warren.
That is a good situation for Dowdle. Pittsburgh wants to run the football, and there should be enough work for more than one back.
I’ll be watching whether Dowdle can carve out a regular role instead of simply waiting for an injury to create one.
Tonka Hemingway, DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Tonka Hemingway may be ready for a breakout season.
He generated considerable buzz during training camp and enters the season with a prominent position on the Raiders’ defensive front. Hemingway has always been strong and technically sound, but he now appears ready to turn those traits into production.
Interior defensive linemen don’t always pile up impressive statistics. Watch whether Hemingway collapses the pocket, occupies blockers and creates opportunities for the players around him.
Keisean Nixon, CB, Green Bay Packers
Keisean Nixon has gone from an undrafted player and return specialist to a starting NFL cornerback.
That alone says plenty about his toughness and determination.
This is an important year for Nixon because he is playing for his next contract. Green Bay needs him to provide veteran leadership in a secondary that includes fellow Gamecock Brandon Cisse.
I’ll be watching how those two work together. One is an established veteran who had to fight for everything. The other is a highly drafted rookie trying to prove he belongs.
D.J. Wonnum, DL, Detroit Lions
D.J. Wonnum begins a new chapter in Detroit after signing a one-year contract.
Wonnum has shown he can rush the passer when healthy. The question is whether he can remain available and provide consistent pressure throughout the season.
Detroit doesn’t need him to be the only answer along its defensive front. The Lions need him to become a reliable part of the rotation and take advantage when offenses slide protection elsewhere.
Marcellas Dial Jr., CB, Miami Dolphins
Marcellas Dial lost the 2025 season to a torn ACL, so simply getting back onto the field represents an important step.
Now comes the harder part—reestablishing himself as an NFL defensive back.
Dial has the length and athletic ability to play on the outside, but returning from a major knee injury requires confidence as much as physical recovery. I’ll be watching how he moves, whether he trusts the knee and how quickly he works himself into Miami’s defensive rotation.
Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, New York Jets
Kingsley Enagbare begins the season with a new organization after spending his first four years in Green Bay.
The Jets offer him a fresh opportunity, but he was dealing with a foot injury during training camp. His health will determine how quickly he can become part of the defensive rotation.
Enagbare has always played with power and effort. If healthy, he can give New York valuable snaps as an edge defender against both the run and pass.
Spencer Rattler, QB, New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler enters the season behind Tyler Shough, but backup quarterback situations can change quickly in the NFL.
Rattler needs to remain prepared and continue developing. He has already gained valuable starting experience, even if the results were inconsistent.
What I want to see is growth in his decision-making, pocket awareness and ability to avoid negative plays. The arm talent is there. Rattler’s future will be determined by whether the rest of his game catches up with it.
Nick Barrett, DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Nick Barrett may not receive as much attention as some of the other Gamecock rookies, but don’t overlook him.
The Chargers selected Barrett in the fifth round and kept him on the active roster. He enters the season as part of their defensive-line rotation with a legitimate chance to earn playing time.
Barrett’s job will be to hold his ground, control gaps and show he can handle the physical demands of NFL football. If he does that consistently, the snaps will come.
Jalen Brooks, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Jalen Brooks made a strong statement during the preseason with a 99-yard performance on only three receptions.
Now he has to prove that production can translate into regular-season opportunities.
Brooks is currently behind more established receivers, so special teams will be important. But explosive preseason performances get coaches’ attention. If he continues taking advantage of his opportunities, Arizona will have to find ways to use him.
Bryan Thomas Jr., EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bryan Thomas Jr. earned his place on Jacksonville’s active roster after entering the league as an undrafted free agent.
That is an accomplishment, but making the roster is only the beginning.
Thomas must contribute on special teams and make the most of whatever defensive snaps he receives. His motor and versatility helped him reach the league. Those same qualities can help him stay there.
Javon Kinlaw, DL, Washington Commanders
Javon Kinlaw enters another important season with Washington.
There has never been any question about his size, strength or athletic potential. The issue has been turning all those physical gifts into consistent production.
Washington is counting on him to play a significant role along its defensive front. I want to see Kinlaw become more disruptive and finish more of the plays he affects.
Jovaughn Gwyn, OL, Baltimore Ravens
Offensive linemen rarely receive attention unless they make a mistake, but Jovaughn Gwyn has quietly continued building an NFL career.
He enters the season as Baltimore’s backup center and provides valuable flexibility along the interior offensive line.
His opportunity may depend on an injury ahead of him, but backup linemen have to be ready without warning. If Gwyn gets his chance, the key will be communication, assignment discipline and handling the power of NFL defensive tackles.
Nate Adkins, TE, Denver Broncos
Nate Adkins has established himself as a dependable role player in Denver.
He isn’t going to receive the targets of a featured tight end, but he can block, contribute on special teams and fill several responsibilities within the offense.
Players such as Adkins remain in the NFL because coaches trust them. Watch for the snaps that never appear in a fantasy football box score—the block that springs a runner, the special-teams tackle or the play-action route when the defense forgets about him.
Other Gamecocks to Monitor
Several former Gamecocks remain attached to NFL organizations through practice squads or reserve lists.
Vershon Lee, Nick Muse, Torricelli Simpkins III, Adam Prentice, Darius Rush and Joshua Simon are currently on practice squads. Those players remain one injury or roster move away from being elevated.
Bam Martin-Scott, Nick Gargiulo, Dalevon Campbell and Kyle Kennard are on reserve lists. Kennard’s situation is especially disappointing because this was supposed to be an important second season for him with the Chargers.
Practice-squad and injured players should not be forgotten. NFL rosters change every week, and opportunities can arrive without much warning.
The Gamecock Footprint Is Growing
The thing that stands out is not simply the number of former Gamecocks in the NFL. It is the range of their roles.
South Carolina has established stars, veteran starters, young players on the verge of breakthroughs, rookies fighting for snaps and practice-squad players waiting for an opportunity.
Gamecock fans will have plenty to watch after Saturday football is finished.
Some of these players are already household names. Others are still trying to become one. Either way, once they leave Columbia, they are still Gamecocks—and we’ll be watching.
