South Carolina defensive back declares for NFL Draft
South Carolina junior defensive back Brandon Cisse will leave school early to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, he told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday morning.
“I’m excited to fulfill my lifelong dream,” Cisse told ESPN.
In ESPN’s Field Yates’ latest mock draft, Cisse’s name featured in the first round as the 29th overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks.
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“If Cisse were to go to Seattle in the first round, he would be the second Gamecock defensive back taken early by the Seahawks in the past two years,” Yates said in his explanation. “Nickel/safety Nick Emmanwori has been one of the league’s best rookies in his first year in the Pacific Northwest. Linebacker Ernest Jones has had a strong year with the franchise, as well.”
In his lone season as a Gamecock in 2025, Cisse recorded 27 tackles with five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception. He previously spent two years at NC State, where he had 38 total tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups.
The NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.