Draft Recap: Which Gamecocks are headed to the NFL
The 2024 NFL Draft saw four South Carolina Gamecocks drafted this past weekend. That’s the second most during the Shane Beamer era.
In addition, a handful have already signed as either undrafted free agents or have been invited to rookie mini camps with NFL teams. As of this story, a total of nine Gamecocks from this year’s draft class have either inked deals with NFL teams or have been invited to take part at a rookie mini camp.
According to the NFL Operations page, this year’s NFL rookie mini camp dates are between May 3-6 or May 10-13. All NFL teams can choose either dates to select their three-day camp following the 2024 NFL Draft between Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
Here’s a recap of those players who saw their NFL dreams come true this past weekend.
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Xavier Legette – WR
1st Round, 32nd overall pick by the Carolina Panthers
The 16th Gamecock to ever be drafted in the first round in program history, the Mullins, SC native put together one of the greatest single seasons by a South Carolina wide receiver in school history. Compiling 1,255 yards receiving this past year, Legette’s performance put him only behind Gamecock great Alshon Jeffrey’s 2010 season, which saw the future Super Bowl champion finish with 1,517 yards receiving.
Spencer Rattler – QB
5th Round, 180th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints
For the first time since 1990, a South Carolina quarterback was selected in the NFL Draft. In two years with the Gamecocks, Rattler put together two of the best statistical seasons by a USC quarterback. Compiling 6,212 yards passing, he completed 549-of-798 passes and threw 37 touchdowns. He also added seven rushing touchdowns. Working with former NFL offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains this pass season, Rattler threw for 3,186 yards, which ranks as the third most in a season in South Carolina history.
Marcellas Dial – CB
6th Round, 180th overall pick by the New England Patriots
Dial helped his cause throughout the draft process with strong showings at the East-West Shrine Game and the NFL Combine. During his senior bowl game, not only did Dial excel at cornerback, but he also got reps at nickel and safety. Additionally, like we’ve said about many Gamecock players in recent years, his willingness to be a factor on special teams also helped his caused. At the Combine, Dial ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash and finished in the top-ten in testing in all cornerback events.
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Nick Gargiulo – OL
7th Round, 255th overall pick by the Denver Broncos
Starting at both guard and center last season for South Carolina, the 6-5, 317-pounder also started more than a dozen games at left tackle during his time at Yale. A place where he was selected, by his peers, to be the only captain for the Bulldogs for the 2022 season. In all, Gargiulo started in 36 of the 37 collegiate games he appeared in during his career.
Ahmarean Brown – WR
Signed by the Cleveland Browns as an UDFA
Standing at just 5-8, 170 pounds, Brown is coming off his best season as a Gamecock after catching 26 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. It was his best season of his college career since his freshman year at Georgia Tech in 2020 when he caught seven touchdown passes before transferring to South Carolina ahead of the 2021 season.
Trey Knox – TE
Signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an UDFA
In his lone season at South Carolina in 2023, Knox appeared in ten games and caught 37 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, he played in 55 games with 39 starts catching 118 career passes for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns, He becomes the first Gamecocks tight end drafted since Nick Muse, who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Tyreek Johnson – EDGE
Signed by the New York Jets as an UDFA
Appearing in 26 games in six seasons at South Carolina, Johnson racked up 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Being health for the majority of the season, he demonstrated why his ceiling remains so high with 3.5 of those tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks coming this past season.
Jordan Strachan – EDGE
Invited to rookie mini camp by the Tennessee Titans & Kansas City Chiefs
Returning in 2023, the 6-4, 242-pounder racked up 20 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced two fumbles this past season. He also deflected a pass. In his career, which lasted seven years (first four at Georgia State and final three with the Gamecocks), he spent seven years in college including the last three at South Carolina… transferred from Georgia State he has 18.5 career sacks in 50 career games. Starting in 26 games, he recorded 130 tackles, including 31.5 tackles for loss.
Dakereon Joyner – RB
Invited to rookie mini camp by the Seattle Seahawks & New Orleans Saints
During his six years as a Gamecock, Joyner complied 1983 all-purpose yards including 430 passing yards, 445 rushing yards, and 559 receiving yards. He also scored 11 touchdowns, which includes throwing for a pair, and was named MVP of the 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
**In addition, former South Carolina running back Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller signed with the New York Giants earlier this month.
