Darius Rush officially declares for NFL Draft
South Carolina defensive back Darius Rush officially announced today that he is declaring for the NFL Draft.
On Tuesday night, the Reese’s Senior Bowl announced that Rush had accepted an invite to their game.
The annual contest that features rising NFL Draft prospects is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Mobile, Ala., and will be featured on the NFL Network.
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Rush did have another year of eligibility because of COVID but has been a starter the last two seasons and walked on Senior Night against Tennessee.
The South Carolina native has been arguably the best Gamecocks’ cornerback this season, finishing with the highest coverage grade on the team.
In 10 games this year Rush has been target 31 times. He’s allowed receptions 18 times for 317 yards and 104 yards after the catch. He’s broken up six passes, has two interceptions and has only allowed two touchdowns. Quarterbacks have an 87.7 rating when targeting him.
He’s also been dealing with nagging injuries this season and did miss a few games, which could have contributed to his decision.
Last season he had a breakout year, which vaulted him onto a few draft boards heading into 2022.
In his first real season as a starter, Rush allowed 16 receptions on 39 targets for 349 yards and 143 after the catch. He broke up eight with one pick and four scores allowed as part of a resurgent Gamecocks secondary.
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Rush finishes his South Carolina career with 75 tackles, five for a loss, one sack, three interceptions and one forced fumble.
It puts the end to a wild few years where Rush went from a reserve receiver to a reserve defensive back to starter and now a likely NFL pick.
Rush enrolled with the 2018 class, a three-star prospect and the No. 181 receiver in the class (No. 1068 overall). He bounced around positions, ultimately settling at defensive back, where he thrived.
His departure, though, means the Gamecocks are now officially losing three starters from the secondary this season. Cam Smith is also off to the NFL and Devonni Reed’s eligibility is up.
South Carolina will also be thin in the secondary for the bowl game as well.
The Gamecocks play Notre Dame Dec. 30 at 3:30 p.m. A win would give South Carolina arguably its best season since 2013, the final of the three-straight 11-win years.
