South Carolina defender earns first-round NFL Draft projection

South Carolina football hasn’t had the 2025 season that fans had hoped for this fall. However, that hasn’t been because of the defense. The Gamecock D has been pretty good most of the year, despite losing a lot of talent to the NFL from last year’s team. Based on early NFL Draft projections, that could be happening again next spring.

ESPN’s Matt Miller released an updated mock draft this week and projected South Carolina corner Brandon Cisse as a first-round pick. According to Miller, Cisse is a perfect fit for the Seattle Seahawks, a match that he says could come to fruition at pick No. 27.

Said Miller about Cisse and the Seahawks, “Sometimes a prospect’s skill set fits so perfectly with an NFL team that the match seems inevitable. That’s the case with Cisse and Mike Macdonald’s defense in Seattle. The explosive, quick Cisse has become one of the nation’s top cornerbacks after transferring from NC State, allowing only seven completions on 23 passes into his coverage while picking off one pass. Devon Witherspoon is a star at one corner spot, but Cisse would balance out the secondary opposite him, especially with Riq Woolen set to become an unrestricted free agent.”

If he were to be a Seahawk, he would join former Gamecocks Nick Emmanwori and Ernest Jones. Both Emmanwori (nickel) and Jones (linebacker) start for Seattle’s defense and have had good 2025 seasons.

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Cisse has been, arguably, the top transfer portal addition for South Carolina this season. The Palmetto State native has been good in coverage and has been a willing participant in run support.

Cisse has an interception for the Gamecocks and has been really close to snagging a few more. He has forced a fumble and knocked away four passes, despite being the team’s least-targeted corner. His 45.2% reception percentage is the lowest on the team.

The highest PFF grade among Carolina defensive backs belongs to Cisse. He is tied for the lead among the team’s cornerbacks in coverage rating, as well.

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Miller’s mock draft only included Cisse among his projected first round. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, defensive back Jalon Kilgore, and wide receiver Nyck Harbor have garnered first-round consideration at times since last year’s draft, though it seems more likely that all three players would go a bit later at this time if they were to test the NFL Draft waters. Sellers, Kilgore, Harbor, and Cisse could all return to Columbia for the 2026 season.

According to Miller, Cisse could be the No. 3 cornerback off the board. He is behind only Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy and LSU’s Mansoor Delane. He is also fourth among all defensive backs. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is also ahead in the predicted draft order.

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Thursday, April 23rd to Saturday, April 25th.

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