A Glimpse at South Carolina’s Future NFL Combine Contenders

South Carolina Football’s Big NFL Combine Presence—2025 and Beyond

Hello, fans! Reporting live on the big news coming from South Carolina football—the Gamecocks are sending 11 players to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, setting a new school record. To put that into perspective, the previous record was just seven players back in 2013, with six being the next highest in past years. As we sit here today, who could have predicted such a monumental number for 2025? Certainly, not many of us.

Now, let’s fast-forward to 2026 and get ahead of the game. Even though it’s early to predict the number of Gamecocks who might make the next NFL Combine, let’s set an over/under for the 2026 combine at 5.5. Here’s a rundown of potential players to watch, who might make that cut.

Big Names for 2026: Nyck Harbor, Jalon Kilgore, LaNorris Sellers

All three of these players are entering their third seasons at South Carolina and are expected to be among the most likely pro prospects in the next year.

• Nyck Harbor has shown significant improvement, particularly toward the end of the 2024 season. His late-season strides place him on the radar as a potential big riser in 2025. If he continues to grow, especially as a wide receiver, we could be hearing a lot about Harbor come next year’s pre-draft coverage.
• Jalon Kilgore made a massive impact in 2024, tying for first in the SEC with five interceptions—a stat that shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s a name to watch closely. Kilgore’s rise will also likely benefit from the success of teammate Nick Emmanwori, who plays in the same position group. But Kilgore’s play will stand strong on its own merit.
• LaNorris Sellers is a quarterback to watch closely. He’ll have had two full seasons as a starter by the time he decides to enter the draft, which is typically the baseline for NFL scouts. Sellers generated considerable buzz in 2024 and is even in the conversation for the top quarterback in the 2025 draft class, though it’s worth noting that the quarterback group for 2025 isn’t the strongest.

Other Gamecocks to Keep an Eye On

There’s also a group of players with one remaining season of eligibility, who will need to prove themselves to be serious draft prospects. This group includes DQ Smith, Bryan Thomas Jr., Monkell Goodwine, and Nick Barrett.

• Smith has been one of the most active defensive players since 2022, and he’s set to play a major role again in 2025.
• Thomas, who has started in seven games, has a chance to secure a starting role, especially with an open spot at defensive end.
• Goodwine and Barrett have the opportunity to step up into starting roles and make a name for themselves.

The cornerback position will be another area of healthy competition, with Judge Collier, Vicari Swain, Myles Norwood, and Brandon Cisse all vying for spots. While it may be tough for multiple cornerbacks to make the cut in 2026, expect at least one or two to possibly land invites by 2027.

Offensive Prospects: Running Backs and Offensive Linemen

On offense, Oscar Adaway III and Rahsul Faison are potential candidates to keep an eye on, especially if they have solid seasons in 2025. Both will be considered older by then, with Faison turning 25 and Adaway approaching 25, but they haven’t yet accumulated significant mileage, so they may still be in the mix.

In the offensive line, Nick Gargiulo received an invite for 2024, while Torricelli Simpkins III is representing South Carolina this week. Could another transfer offensive lineman make their mark for 2026? Nick Sharpe, Rodney Newsom Jr., and Boaz Stanley are the names to watch, but their success will depend on securing a starting position and performing at a high level.

In the tight end group, Jared Brown, Jordan Dingle, and Brady Hunt are potential invitees, though it’s unclear if any will lock down a starting role and produce enough to warrant an invite. However, at least one could emerge as a standout.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

If South Carolina can send 11 players to the 2026 NFL Combine, it would likely mean a successful season for the Gamecocks under Shane Beamer in Year 5. In football, a roster filled with future pros usually signals a team that’s capable of winning plenty of games. While success isn’t guaranteed, the correlation between strong talent and a strong team is clear.

Interestingly, the 2025 South Carolina squad is even younger than the 2024 team, which could offer additional opportunities for rising stars.

Additionally, keep an eye on Shawn Murphy and Justin Okoronkwo, two transfer linebackers who could find themselves in the mix for 2026. Though both have minimal college experience so far, they are still eligible for the upcoming seasons and could be key contributors.

Lastly, Jatius Geer, who started in 12 games for Syracuse in 2022 but has only started one for South Carolina since transferring, could see his role expand in 2025. If he can earn a starting position and stay healthy, he could be in the running for a 2026 combine invite.

Wrapping Up

It’s possible we missed a few names or didn’t fully account for someone who will emerge this season. There’s always room for surprises, whether it’s a player already on the roster or a new addition joining later this year. Stay tuned to TheBigSpur for all the latest coverage of South Carolina’s 2025 NFL Draft prospects. With the combine just around the corner, followed by pro days and the draft itself, it’s shaping up to be an exciting few months ahead for Gamecocks football.