South Carolina’s Nick Muse selected by Minnesota Vikings in 2022 NFL Draft
The NFL has another Muse on its hands.
South Carolina tight end Nick Muse, the brother of former Clemson standout Tanner Muse, was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round and No. 227 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5, 259-pound Muse finished his career at South Carolina as a largely reliable pass catcher and solid blocker on running downs, concluding his time in Columbia with 805 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 67 catches over three years.
The North Carolina native began his career at William & Mary, where he earned third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors as a sophomore. Muse capped his second season in Williamsburg, Virginia ranking seventh in the CAA in receiving yards per game (64.7) and second on the team in catches (30) and receiving yards (453).
Muse’s best season as a Gamecock came in 2020, when he recorded 30 receptions for 425 yards receiving, slotting him second on the squad in both categories behind only 2021 sixth round draftee Shi Smith. He was named a fourth team All-SEC performer by Phil Steele.
“Muse is an interesting talent who could be drafted late,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler told The State ahead of the NFL Draft. “He has more drops than you want and his routes need continued refinement. But he is a ‘make it’ competitor and tested really well with a 4.70 40-yard dash at 258 pounds at the Gamecocks pro day. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Muse earn a backup role as a rookie.”
Muse is the third South Carolina tight end to be drafted in recent years after Hayden Hurst (2018) and Jerrell Adams (2016) were both selected in the NFL Draft after their Gamecocks careers.
Tanner Muse was also previously drafted, going in the third round and No. 100 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft.
This story was originally published April 30, 2022 at 5:42 PM.
