South Carolina’s top defender declares for NFL Draft, won’t play in bowl game
South Carolina’s bowl roster picture is getting clearer.
All-SEC defensive lineman Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare announced on Monday that he is forgoing his remaining eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.
Enagbare’s projections are wide-ranging, but he’s been slotted as high as a first round pick depending on the outlet.
“I’m thankful to Coach Muschamp and his staff for recruiting me, believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at South Carolina,” he wrote in a Twitter announcement. “I am also grateful for the opportunity to play under Coach Beamer and the new staff. To all the coaches, trainers and support staff who encouraged me and pushed me throughout the years, I thank you.”
Enagbare is the latest in a long line of productive defensive line prospects to come out of South Carolina in recent years. He finished his 2021 campaign with 41 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.
The former four-star recruit came to South Carolina as part of Will Muschamp’s 2018 class. He was rated the No. 269 player and No. 11 strong-side defensive end in the class, per 247Sports.
With Enagbare not slated to play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina later this month, he’ll become the second high-profile USC player to miss the game.
Starting running back ZaQuandre White announced his intentions to enter the NFL Draft last week. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer had left the door open for White to play in the bowl game, but running back Kevin Harris told reporters on Tuesday that White was not practicing with the team and had left Columbia.
Enagbare’s departure came in the middle of signing day on Wednesday and also just minutes after starting quarterback Jason Brown announced he would be entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.
Had he returned, Brown was expected to slide down South Carolina’s quarterback depth chart after USC inked high-profile Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler earlier this week and with returning QB Luke Doty on the mend.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
