South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith declares for 2023 NFL Draft
South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith has officially made a decision on his future and whether to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. The 2021 second-team AP All-SEC selection will be declaring for the draft, he announced via Twitter.
Smith was a redshirt junior in 2022 and a vital leader in the South Carolina secondary. He emerged on the scene in a major way in 2021 as a redshirt sophomore when he played in 11 games and made seven starts.
He picked up second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press during that campaign after racking up 41 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions, 14 passes defended and 11 pass breakups.
In 2022, he picked up pretty much right where he left off, once again providing the Gamecocks with a very steady presence outside at cornerback. He had 27 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception on the season.
Multiple media outlets have projected Cam Smith as a first-round NFL Draft pick, with many slotting him into the middle of the first round.
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.
The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.