Longtime Gamecocks starter T.J. Brunson headed to the Big Apple in NFL Draft
Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy was generally surprised when South Carolina linebacker TJ Brunson wasn’t invited to the NFL combine.
But the multi-year Gamecocks starter is headed for the NFL with the New York Giants.
Brunson was picked in the seventh round Saturday, the 238th overall pick. He’s the fourth Gamecock off the board.
“He’s played Mike linebacker there, he’s played Will linebacker,” Nagy said. “He’s shown his versatility. He’ll run. He’ll hit. He’s kind of a perfect special teams guy. So I was very surprised he didn’t get a Combine invite. He showed up really well down here.”
Brunson was considered borderline to be drafted, with The Athletic’s draft guide listing him as a priority free agent.
At 6-foot, 230 pounds, Brunson was an anchor of South Carolina’s defense through the past three seasons.
He broke into the lineup next to Skai Moore in 2017, making 88 tackles. He jumped past the 100-tackle mark the next year, posting 10 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks.
As a senior, Brunson moved over to the weakside to open things up for Ernest Jones in the middle. Brunson had more coverage responsibilities, breaking up five passes and picking one off to go with 77 tackles.
ESPN draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah described his skill-set as an in the box linebacker with sure tackling skills.
“He comes down hill and provides thump as a tackler,” Jeremiah said. “Once he arrives, he is a very sure tackler. His work ethic is outstanding. Guys at this point and time, it is what you can do on special teams. That is how he has got to make this football team.”
Brunson was also the first recruit Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp visited after getting hired in 2015. The Columbia product starred at Richland Northeast.
The four players picked is a new high for the Will Muschamp era.
South Carolina free agent signings
Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Tavien Feaster, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Donell Stanley, OL, Miami Dolphins
Kobe Smith, DL, Tennessee Titans
Kyle Markway, TE, New York Giants
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 6:18 PM.
