Several Gamecocks listed in 'way-too-early' 2023 mocks
With the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, several South Carolina football standouts are already finding their names on publications’ way-too-early 2023 mock drafts.
Certainly, there’s heavy emphasis on “way-too-early” as thousands of different scenarios can play out between now and next year’s draft that will heavily effective both the players being drafted and the needs of the teams doing the drafting.
But still, as the offseason settles in, it can be fun to look ahead at some of the guys who are already getting some love for next year.
There may not be a South Carolina football player on the roster who has increased his perceived stock more than junior cornerback Cam Smith.
The Westwood High graduate is listed as the No. 12 overall pick in PFF’s mock draft and the No. 24 pick in Bleacher Report’s mock draft.
“South Carolina’s Cam Smith might be among the most underrated defensive players in the country, and the Gamecocks’ corner could be one of the first DBs drafted in 2023,” said On3’s Jesse Simonton.
Added PFF: “Smith took over for Jaycee Horn and didn’t miss a beat. Last year, he allowed only 15 catches from 32 targets for 184 yards, with three picks and nine pass breakups.”
PFF is also high on South Carolina’s do-it-all tight end Jaheim Bell, who had a breakout season last year and should be in line for an even bigger season in 2022.
“Bell is more jumbo running back than true tight end at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds,” said PFF, which projects Bell as the No. 29 overall pick. “The Gamecocks even utilized him as such, with seven carries for 40 yards last season. He’s very dynamic post-catch for a man that size. He shed 13 tackles on 30 receptions in 2021.”
CBS Sports’ mock draft has one Gamecock going in the first round, listing former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler as the No. 27 pick to the Dolphins.
“If Tua can’t make it work next season the Dolphins may look elsewhere,” the article reads. “Rattler was in this space 12 months ago and, well, he had a forgettable ’21 season at Oklahoma. He’s since transferred to South Carolina and if it all clicks for him in Columbia he could be among the first QBs drafted.”
South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, the former five-star from T.L. Hanna, lands in the first round of The Athletic’s mock, going No. 22 overall to the Bengals.
South Carolina had three players drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft with Kingsley Enagbare going in the fifth round, Kevin Harris in the sixth and Nick Muse in the seventh.
Earlier this week, Gamecock Central’s Collyn Taylor gave his own thoughts on which Gamecocks could be selected in the 2023 draft.
