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South Carolina standout junior invited to 2026 Senior Bowl

Screenshotby: Kevin Miller8 hours agokevinmillerGC

On Friday, South Carolina junior defensive back Jalon Kilgore earned an invitation to the 2026 Senior Bowl. Though for most of its history, the Senior Bowl was a showcase for the oldest players in college football, recent years have seen the event allow draft-eligible underclassmen to participate. Kilgore announced his invitation on social media.

Kilgore, who could be in line for All-SEC honors for the second season in a row, was again one of the top defensive backs in the conference. Getting most of his reps at nickel, he was fourth on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions. He led the entire SEC in picks in 2024.

The Senior Bowl’s invitation for Kilgore to come to Birmingham this winter doesn’t necessarily mean that his South Carolina career is over. He has one more year of eligibility with the Gamecocks if he chooses to use it.

If Kilgore attends the Senior Bowl, he could join a long list of USC products to go to Birmingham. Most notably in 2024, quarterback Spencer Rattler was one of the week’s practice MVPs and then the game’s MVP.

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Kilgore’s NFL stock will be interesting to monitor. He has earned projections as high as the first round but as low as the back half of day three (rounds six and seven). Some of that is because the NFL world is somewhat split on his position at the next level. He came up as a safety prospect and looks the part of an NFL safety. However, he played the majority of his collegiate snaps at nickel. Some scouts even think that he could play a true corner position at the next level.

An NFL scouting source recently told GamecockCentral that he really likes Kilgore’s upside as a safety. The source noted Kilgore’s length, fluid athleticism, and ball skills as to why he held that opinion.

Gerald Kilgore, Jalon’s older brother, is a redshirt junior with one more year of eligibility remaining, as well.

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!