Gamecocks’ Mason Zandi lands with Los Angeles Chargers

For the first time since 2001, and for only the fifth time since 1950, no South Carolina players were selected in the NFL draft. But at least three Gamecocks will have a chance to make a pro roster after signing free agent deals Saturday evening.

Offensive lineman Mason Zandi signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, he told The State. Defensive lineman Marquavius Lewi signed with the Buffalo Bills, according to the Houston Chronicle. Defensive end Darius English signed with the Atlanta Falcons, he told SECCountry.com, and long-snapper Drew Williams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to his Twitter account.

“Within minutes of the draft being over, they were calling,” Zandi said of the Chargers. “They got on the phone with my agent and my agent talked out some details, and we were ready to go.”

Zandi, a 6-foot-9, 309-pound Chapin native, started 24 games for South Carolina.

“Still can’t believe it,” he said of his newly inked professional contract. “It’s unbelievable. Even though it wasn’t in the draft, it’s still a dream come true. It’s still the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of people who believed in me and loved me.”

Zandi met with a Chargers regional scout for 10 minutes at South Carolina’s pro day earlier this month but hadn’t spoken to the team since then until Saturday night. He wasn’t sure when he would be headed to Los Angeles.

“I am just waiting for all the paperwork. I will get an email here in a little while and go out there and start to work,” he said. “It’s looking like I have a good opportunity. The regional scout for our area believes I have a chance to compete for a roster spot.”

English led South Carolina in sacks in 2017 with nine.

South Carolina was one of two SEC schools without any players selected in this year’s draft. Kentucky was the other. Overall, the SEC East had 18 players selected compared to the 35 players selected from the SEC West.

Other signings

▪  Citadel fullback Tyler Renew, a product of Ben Lippen High School in Columbia, will sign with the Falcons.

This story was originally published April 29, 2017 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Gamecocks’ Mason Zandi lands with Los Angeles Chargers."