SC native Brandon Cisse becomes Gamecocks’ first 2026 NFL Draft pick
In what feels like an annual tradition at this point, another South Carolina defensive back was picked during the first two rounds of an NFL Draft.
On Friday, the Green Bay Packers selected Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse in the second round (No. 52 overall). Cisse becomes the fourth South Carolina DB in the past six years to be a first-round or second-round draft pick, joining Jaycee Horn (No. 8 overall in 2021), Cam Smith (No. 51 in 2023) and Nick Emmanwori (No. 35 in 2025).
In his one season with the Gamecocks, Cisse started all 12 games at cornerback for South Carolina, racking up 27 tackles, five pass breakups and an interception while becoming the Gamecocks’ highest-graded defender against the run, per Pro Football Focus.
Soon after the season concluded, Cisse debuted in many mock drafts as a first-rounder. Yet as the draft process progressed — despite Cisse running a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at his pro day — his stock began to drop.
In his mega draft guide titled “The Beast,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote: “Cisse is an unrefined, promising cover athlete with the twitched-up movements and speed to become an NFL starter. However, his pro ceiling will be determined by the development of his route recognition and ball skills.
It continued: “He tends to declare his hips early and relies too heavily on his athleticism rather than his technique or anticipation, leading to coverage losses. When he finds the football, he is capable of impressive athletic feats to knock it away, but he needs to be more consistent with his body phasing to shrink catch windows.”
That was evident during his time with the Gamecocks. One numerous occasions, a receiver would get a step on Cisse, but he was often able to use his speed and athleticism to catch up and, if a pass was thrown his way, make a play on the ball.
Cisse was targeted 38 times last year, per Pro Football Focus, only allowing 18 catches (47%) for 361 yards and one touchdown.
A former three-star prospect at Lakewood High in Sumter, Cisse began his college career at N.C. State, where he spent two seasons. After a number of Wolfpack assistant coaches departed following the 2024 season, Cisse jumped in the transfer portal and landed at USC under coach Shane Beamer.
Naturally, he chose to go to his hometown school — which he probably would have done out of high school ... if only South Carolina offered him.
“They didn’t think I was big enough,” Cisse said. “I still kind of have a chip on my shoulder to this day.”
“My dad went here,” he added last year of going to USC. “This is something I’ve been around since I was a little kid. It’s kind of in my blood. Obviously I wish I would have come out of high school, but God had his plans for me and I came back around.”
And now, Cisse is headed to the NFL.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:31 PM.
