Why the NFL shouldn’t have too many questions about Gamecocks players in the draft
This NFL Draft is going to operate on the low end information-wise for pro teams. The coronavirus pandemic cut short the pre-draft process, canceling numerous pro days and in-person interviews and workouts.
But South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp feels he’s given NFL front offices more understanding than most of his players and their abilities.
In a radio interview last week with Heath Cline on 107.5 FM, he said his policy of welcoming in NFL staffs whenever possible means they’ve already got a lot of background on his guys. They allowed near unfettered access, and that in turn means higher-level evaluators make the trip to Columbia.
“They get all the information when they come on their visits,” Muschamp said. “And because we’re so open, we had more general managers that really are making the decisions come to our practices because they understand they’re going to be able to watch practices, they’re going to be able to watch drills.”
USC had three players drafted last season in Deebo Samuel, a high second-round pick, and Rashad Fenton and Dennis Daley, both taken in the sixth. Samuel and Daley both started games as rookies, while Fenton played a smaller role on the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
This batch of Gamecocks payers could produce a high of picks in the Muschamp era. Tackle Javon Kinlaw should go at some point in the first round, projected higher than Hayden Hurst went (25th) in 2018. Bryan Edwards projects as a Day 2 pick, and D.J. Wonnum, Rico Dowdle and perhaps T.J. Brunson project in the range of being drafted.
Muschamp’s NFL-friendly approach comes from his old boss, Nick Saban, and his time working for the Miami Dolphins.
“I learned this from coach Saban,” Muschamp said. “We’re as open as any college in the country when NFL scouts come here. So they’re allowed to be around our players. They’re allowed to watch all of practice, watch all of game weeks. Doesn’t matter who we’re playing. ... I want them to be accessible to our players because it helps our players. And it helps the NFL people evaluate our players better. So we’re very open.”
South Carolina saw no players selected after Muschamp’s first season, then one in 2018 and three last year. Other Muschamp-era Gamecocks who made NFL rosters included Skai Moore, Chris Lammons, Keisean Nixon and Taylor Stallworth.
The sense overall is that NFL teams will side more toward picking proven players from larger programs rather than take fliers on smaller-school players.
With South Carolina’s pro day wiped out by coronavirus, Muschamp said he’s been working the phones and trying to help his guys find spots in the draft or afterward.
“I’ve talked to upwards of 20 or 25 NFL teams,” Muschamp said, “whether it was an assistant coach, head coach or general manager. They normally call this time of year wanting to review our guys. ‘What are your thoughts? What do you think?’ I have coached in the NFL and have coordinated in the NFL, so that helps a little bit. I do have a pretty good idea of what they’re looking for and the hot spots they’re looking for that aren’t good. We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on our players.”
2020 NFL Draft Schedule
Watch on ABC, NFL Network and various ESPN channels
Round 1: Thursday, April 23, 8 pm Eastern
Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24, 7 pm Eastern
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25, Noon Eastern
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
