A ranking of the 2023 Best NFL Football Players in South Carolina. The 2022 high school football season is four months from kicking off and we will be releasing our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings in June. 156 Los Angeles Chargers Jordan McFadden OG Clemson 2024 Rivals.com North Carolina Top 30 SEC 2023 7th 6 prev rank 13th. Steve graduated from Illinois State University in 1989. all-ACC guard for the Wolfpack last season when he played in 12 games, Getting their NFL chance: Former NC State, Duke players ink free agent deals after draft, NFL Draft: Panthers select NC State G Chandler Zavala with 114th pick in fourth round, From NFL draft picks to long shots, here are players to watch from North Carolina, An NC State basketball switcheroo, as Wolfpack adds another transfer portal player, NC State basketballs big news on a big man adds to roster rebuild for 2023-24 season, End of prep basketball season means decision-making season for top NC hoops recruit, ACC Now Podcast: How UNC, NC State and ACC football look as spring football winds down. EDGE Georgia Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Parker Washington, Penn State, 186. 2024 Top Football South Carolina Recruits. 5. Some other notable fourth round selections include: Clemson defensive end K.J. The younger Porter was projected as a first-round pick but didnt get selected on opening night. Johnson said the issue was handled internally, and he has not been charged with any crime. 125 Los Angeles Chargers Deruis Davis WR TCU 1 Jake Haener, @FresnoStateFB Impressing at seemingly every turn, Fresno States Jake Haener had the most impressive body of work through the week. Full rankings: https://t.co/eM3V9q80VMpic.twitter.com/rQA7DeWI5X. https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1652383315377127424?s=20 (), Hester Named ACC Coach of the Year; Two Tigers Named All-ACC, Grice Named National Player-of-the-Week & ACC Pitcher-of-the-Week, A couple of reasons Allen 'couldn't be happier' to be an L.A. Ram, Saints coach: Bresee an 'exceptional talent', Season Tickets for Clemson's First Gymnastics Season Now Available, What They Are Saying: McFadden to the Chargers, https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1652383315377127424?s=20. Thompson is the fifth FCS player selected in the 2023 NFL draft after he had 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2022. The 6-3, 310-pound Vohasek played four seasons with the Tar Heels, making all-ACC honorable mention in 2021 when he started 13 games and recorded four tackles for losses, with a sack and and four quarterback hurries. He's the first William & Mary offensive player selected since 1992. Zavala's selection means the Wolfpack have had at least one player picked in eight consecutive NFL Drafts. Some other notable sixth-round selections include: Here are the first 15 picks of the sixth round: The fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft is finished. 35 pick in the fifth round, which made him the 169th player selected overall. 1 overall. 118 Washington Commanders Braeden Daniels OG Utah Check out the player rankings on RecruitingNation.com. 2024 ESPN South Carolina rankings: Many headed for the NFL Draft Experience and the little cover it provided in an otherwise open expanse of grass. Zavalas selection means the Wolfpack have had at least one player picked in eight consecutive NFL Drafts. CHIEFS OWNER SAYS NFL DRAFT IS A SHOWCASE FOR KC. He finished career as aDavey O'Brien Award semifinalist in 2022 and UCLA's all-time leader in total offense (12,536 yards), completions (860), total touchdowns (116), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,710). The draft kicked off Thursday with the Carolina Panthers selecting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall. Iosivas is the sixth FCS player selected in the draft. This story was originally published April 29, 2023, 12:54 PM. WR Xavier Smith | Florida A&M. Xavier Smith is the fastest riser in the 2023 pre-draft process. Rivals fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. 168 Arizona Cardinals Owen Pappoe LB Auburn The elder Porter was a four-time Pro Bowler who won a Super Bowl with the Steelers. Highschool. 182 overall pick, the 5th pick of the sixth round. Cody Mauch (70) blocks against Montana State in the 2022 FCS title game. 2020 Rivals.com South Carolina Top 25 Former Coastal Carolina DT Jerrod Clark signs with Chargers 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks football team - Wikipedia Find Football Showcases Near You | 2023 College Football Showcases @thekjhenry pic.twitter.com/8ZYCZxvol4. Six FCS players have been selected. 121 Jacksonville Jaguars Ventrell Miller LB Florida 33 overall to the Titans. Some notable action from the seventh round includes: No. Bennett won back-to-back national championships at Georgia over the last two years and is one of the greatest walk-on players in NCAA football history. NC high school football all-state team announced | Charlotte Observer (Salt Lake City, UT), Northridge mostrarti annunci e contenuti personalizzati in base ai profili di interesse; misurare l'efficacia di annunci e contenuti personalizzati; sviluppare e migliorare i nostri prodotti e servizi. By Jordan Divens Follow Jordan Divens on Twitter Aug 10, 2021, 9:00am Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings 135,280 views 14:15 Vaughn's father is a scout on the Dallas Cowboys. (Syracuse, UT), Farmington 2023 www.goupstate.com. 147 Tennessee Titans Josh Whyle TE Cincinnati 2023 South Carolina HS Football Player Rankings | Prep Redzone Per saperne di pi su come utilizziamo i tuoi dati personali, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e la nostra Informativa sui cookie. All rights reserved. This story will be updated. I just wanted to show my respects by taking that number and letting (Willock) live through me, Jones said. all commits; signed; enrolled; transfers; roster; national 2023 16th 12 prev rank 28th. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Likely going to need some seasoning before hes ready to go, but has what it takes to eventually emerge as an impact player.". Detroit selected the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Green with the second pick of the seventh round, making him the 219th overall selection. Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (No. Alabama and Georgia had 10 players drafted each in 2023, joining the exclusive 27-team club of teams with at least 10 draft picks in a single NFL draft during the seven-round era. Quando utilizzi i nostri siti e le nostre app, noi utilizziamo i. autenticare gli utenti, applicare misure di sicurezza e prevenire spam e abusi; misurare l'utilizzo dei nostri siti e delle nostre app. won the 2021-22 College Football Playoff championship. South Carolina football staff's next recruiting challenge: build off its summer momentum, Hillcrest's Trey Adkins delivers on sixth-grade promise to play football at South Carolina, Spartanburg QB Raheim Jeter has turned recruitment into memorable experience with his dad, Healthy Luke Doty, improved run game crucial to South Carolina football moving forward, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Sorsdal was a first-team FCS All-American in 2022 and is the first FCS selection of Day 3 of the draft. 2. 175 Los Angeles Rams (via TB) Davis Allen TE Clemson 139 Arizona Cardinals (via DET) Clayton Tune QB Houston 46 by New England. Who are the best South Carolina high school football players from the class of 2023? Both of the former Bulldogs will be in their first years in New Orleans. (Lehi, UT), Provo Also of note in the seventh round, the Atlanta Falcons selected Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams. Hall's pick set an NFL draft record for the most quarterbacks selected at 12. 2024 Top Football South Carolina Recruits - On3.com Coach Schuman's The Prequel Elite Prospect Camp National Underclassman Combine Apr 20, 2023 Wall, NJ Ages / Grade Level: 8th - 12th $100 Coach Schuman's Central Texas Elite Prospect Showdown Camp National Underclassman Combine Apr 23, 2023 Austin, TX Ages / Grade Level: 7th - 12th $100 Warhawk Football Prospect Showcase There are already some prospects hitting the radar of college coaches and causing waves in the high school community. Robinson, a native of Tucson, Arizona, played for the Tucson Falcons as his first team in youth football. One of the biggest stories in professional football this offseason has been the excellent job the Chicago Bears have done at revitalizing their roster. He'll back up former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford. When the Minnesota Vikings selected BYU quarterback Jaren Hall with the No. Hutchinson was a top-three finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Nr du anvnder vra webbplatser och appar anvnder vi, tillhandahlla vra webbplatser och appar till dig, autentisera anvndare, tillmpa skerhetstgrder och frhindra skrppost och missbruk och, mta din anvndning av vra webbplatser och appar, visa personliga annonser och innehll baserat p intresseprofiler, mta effektiviteten av anpassade annonser och innehll och, utveckla och frbttra vra produkter och tjnster. Crawford, a top 20 cornerback in 2024 according to On3 . Click or tap here to track every pick via NFL.com. 20 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State. Greenville News. As mentioned before, Pickens tested great at the NFL Combine, one of the reasons why he wound up a 3rd round pick. Bodie Schoonover American Fork (American Fork, UT) 153 Tampa Bay Buccaneers SirVocea Dennis LB Pittsburgh (Draper, UT), Juan Diego Catholic UNC head coach Mack Brown was effusive in his praise for one of the first players he recruited when he returned to Chapel Hill. He led the Tar Heels with 18.56 yards per catch. Iosivasholds the NCAA record for the fastest men's 60 meter time run in an indoor heptathlon. 103 New Orleans Saints Nick Saldiveri OL Old Dominion 6. 134 Kansas City Chiefs Jay Ward CB LSU CB 6-0 165. 141 Minnesota Vikings (via IND) Jacquelin Roy DT LSU 131 Cincinnati Bengals Charlie Jones WR Purdue The South Carolina football team plays its home games at WilliamsBrice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. I want to thank Jacksonville for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity. Fast is an apt word for Smith, who ran a reported 4.3-second 40-yard dash at the HBCU Combine. (Draper, UT), Lone Peak Here are the 24 top-50 Class of 2023 football prospects by USC 133 Chicago Bears Tyler Scott WR Cincinnati Ovr. Previously, Steve worked for The State (Columbia, SC), Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, S.C.), The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss. 167 Houston Texans (via LAR) Henry To'oTo'o LB Alabama After making second-team, all-Conference USA in 2019 when he recorded 19 tackles for loss, White transferred to Georgia Tech in 2020. Top 25 Class of 2022 high school football players from California Please check back soon. Vohaseks selection gave UNC four players picked in the draft for the second consecutive year. Here are the first-round selections: Carolina . There have been a record number of draft day trades and quarterbacks selected. 2022 South Carolina HS Football Player Rankings | Prep Redzone 116 Green Bay Packers Colby Wooden EDGE Auburn The 6-3, 322-pound Zavala worked his way to the NFL after starting his career at Division II Fairmont State (W.Va) in 2017 when a knee injury limited him to three games. The Colts had the fourth pick in the second round, the 35th overall. 174 Los Angeles Rams (via HOU) Warren McClendon Jr. OT Georgia 151 Seattle Seahawks Mike Morris DE Michigan and compile data on the nation's elite high school recruits WL indicates Watch List Access all of Prep Redzone Subscribe for access to all premium articles and rankings. 58 recruit,. Here are the players from those schools who were selected Saturday in rounds 4-7. Phillip Simmons High School Charleston, SC. Some notable picks from the fourth round include: No. I know his family, and its ironic that me and him both went to Texas Tech, and now were in the same division. Corner Canyon 2023 NFL Draft | Who are the top players for Day 3? 129 Dallas Cowboys Viliami Fehoko Jr. Henry is a former five-star recruit who finished with 13.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his Clemson career, also finishing with four ACC championships. 164 Minnesota Vikings (via SF) Jaren Hall QB BYU Rank; . 34 overall. The definitive source for all Rivals news. The Detroit Lions selected William & Mary offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal as the No. Here is a look at 24 prospects who have received a scholarship offer from USC that are ranked among the top 50 for 2023 by the 247Sports Composite. 2023 North Carolina HS Football Player Rankings | Prep Redzone High school football: Top 25 South Carolina players from the Class of 2022 Clemson-bound cornerback Jaedyn Lukus headlines Palmetto State's top senior prospect according to 247Sports. NEW RAIDERS TIGHT END HAS GOOD MEMORIES FROM VEGAS. A defensive tackle who played only five games for UNC last season due to injury, Vohasek was selected in the seventh round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pass rush is one of those glaring weaknesses on the Bears' roster. (Layton, UT), Tooele He said he has learned from the experience. Mahomes tweeted at new Las Vegas pass rusher Tyree Wilson to take it easy on me when the Raiders play the Chiefs this season. Green Bay and Indianapolis moved down in the second round twice each. The sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft is finished. Tennessee Titans - OT Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland, 187. Jake Haener came off the board with the No. Alabama cornerback Brian Branch and Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White have been taken back-to-back picks in the middle of the second round. Eagles notebook: Veteran options abound among running backs, Philadelphia Eagles: Grading the 2023 NFL Draft class, The Eagles Devon Allen defends his Penn Relays 110-meter hurdles title in a photo finish, Eagles trade up to draft Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo, adding yet another Bulldogs defensive star, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. No. 8 Washington is the onlyseason-ending AP top-25 teams with zero players selected in the 2023 NFL draft. Im looking forward to the fans, the greatest fans in America. A record 12 quarterbacks have been selected. While the team did not use their first-round pick on defense, instead opting to take OT Darnell Wright, the Bears focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball on day two of the draft. That was the first time I got to see the city and drive around. So its going to be a lot of competition and excitement for Texas Tech and East Texas.. Porter is the son of former Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter. Though they werent selected in the seven-round NFL Draft, a number of Wolfpack and Blue Devils players signed free agent deals to join NFL teams. Bolden goes from Deion Sanders to Bill Belichick, two coaches who know about defensive backs. Se non vuoi che noi e i nostri partner utilizziamo i cookie e i dati personali per questi scopi aggiuntivi, clicca su "Rifiuta tutto". During Crawfords junior season, he racked up 25 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions for the Parkview Panthers. The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs believes the NFL Draft has been a spectacular showcase for their hometown. Smith . However, it's never too early to look at what next season might look like and zone in on the best high school football player in each state heading into the fall. 80 to select outside linebacker DJ Johnson from Oregon, who garnered national attention last season when he appeared to punch a fan in the back of the head following a 38-34 loss to rival Oregon State. Bell is the first pick in Kennesaw State history. The 2023 NFL draft continues with seventh round today (Saturday, April 29). A 2023 NFL draft tracker for college football fans - NCAA ET at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. The definitive source for all Rivals news. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. College basketball transfer portal: News, notes, intel on top 20 Asim was a key piece of our initial recruiting class when returned to Chapel Hill and hes just gotten better and better during his career. Check out the Prep Redzone 2022 SC Player Rankings. Rank Player Pos Ht / Wt Rating Team. Here is an updated highlight reel of Stetson Bennett running for touchdowns underscored by "Bubbly" by @ColbieCaillat pic.twitter.com/bNevz8xDNm, 111. login. 123 Seattle Seahawks Cameron Young DT Mississippi State The draft is being held at Union Station, where the Chiefs celebrated their latest Super Bowl triumph in February. Ranking: 24th overall and 3rd WR Height/weight: 6-1, 170 School: Gulliver Prep (Miami, Fla.) CB Jahlil Hurley Ranking: 26th overall and 5th CB Height/weight: 6-2, 170 School: Florence (Ala.) LB. A five-star and one of the top players in the country coming out of high school, Pickens' flashed at multiple points the physical and athletic tools to be an elite defensive tackle and totaled 7.5 sacks and 131 tackles through four years with the Gamecocks. The South Carolina football team plays its home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in . Prime pick!Welcome to New England, @isaiahbolden23. The 2023 NFL Draft has wrapped -- but the team-building process continues with the signing of undrafted rookie free agents. Clemson makes cut for one of nation's top corners The definitive source for all Rivals news. LEFT: Coastal Carolina nose tackle Jerrod Clark (15) runs during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia State on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Atlanta. 155 San Francisco 49ers Darrell Luter Jr. CB South Alabama The 6-foot-6, 280-pound offensive tackle is the No. pic.twitter.com/DKyUOrv9Hg. 8 Washington is the onlyseason-ending AP top-25 teams with zero players selected through the first five rounds. 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Commits. The draft will run from April 27-29. He transferred from Virginia where he was a Rimington Award finalist to Michigan in 2022 and was named a team captain while allowing zero sacks. Monteque Rhames Manning (Sumter, SC) commits. When he is in position, he has a knack for making plays on the ball, as well. Were thrilled for Asim and his family, Brown said in a release. Joey Porter Jr. was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the first pick of the second round. 89. 8 Washington is the onlyseason-ending AP top-25 teams with zero players selected through the first six rounds. 2022 Rivals.com South Carolina Top 25 2023 NFL Draft | Who are the top players for Day 3? Who are the best South Carolina high school football players from the class of 2022? 115 Chicago Bears Roschon Johnson RB Texas 163 Cincinnati Bengals Chase Brown RB Illinois Might as well call em the Philadelphia Bulldogs. ), School:University Lab (Baton Rouge, La. The Chicago Bears selected Kennesaw State defensive tackle Travis Bell with the first pick of the seventh round (218 overall). I have my degree from North Carolina and Ive been drafted by the Lions. Now hes heading to New England, where the Patriots have won six Super Bowls -- all since the 2001 season. 5. Jalyn Crawford Releases His Top 11, Includes South Carolina Football With the 64th pick, the Bears selected DT Zacch Pickens, a former star in the South Carolina Gamecock's defensive front. We feel like hes just going to keep getting better and better as he moves through his career and we cant wait to watch him perform for the Lions.. 114 Carolina Panthers Chandler Zavala OG N.C. State 160 Jacksonville Jaguars (via NYG) Antonio Johnson S Texas A&M The Carolina Panthers took him Saturday in the fourth round. Positions. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, 2023 NFL Draft | Who are the top players for, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Human remains found in Stroudsburg identified as woman missing since last year. Clemson made the cut Monday for a highly touted cornerback prospect from the Peach State. SC High School Football Rankings. ET. The Chiefs moved up eight spots to get another target for Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, taking wide receiver Rashee Rice at No. Some notable selections include Arch . Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, taken ninth overall by the Eagles on Thursday, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to the wreck. The full list ofCrawford's top 11 included North Carolina, Florida, Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, Louisville, Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Auburn. We cant wait to watch him go to work with the Jaguars. Georgia native, Jalyn Crawford has narrowed his choice to 11 schools, and South Carolina has made the list as one his desired destinations. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @GamecocksDigest & follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest. Alabama, Georgia lead schools with most picks in 2023 NFL Draft, SEC 148. New Las Vegas tight end Michael Mayer has some familiarity with the Raiders Allegiant Stadium. Here's a look at where the top local prospects have been picked during the 2023 NFL draft. Norman averaged over 40 yards a punt for his career and punted the football more than any other Gamecock in South Carolina football history. drafted on day two of the NFL draft, led by North Dakota State's Cody Mauch. Its just crazy that now were here because I wore No. Norman was a good punter who made an All-South Independent team in 1983. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo as the No. 152 Detroit Lions Colby Sorsdal OT William & Mary The Los Angeles Rams drafted Stetson Bennett with the No. Steelers fans at the draft in Kansas City were chanting, Jo-ey, Jo-ey when the Steelers were on the clock. Ray came in with us when we returned to Chapel Hill and just worked his tail off. 2024. 42 to the Green Bay Packers. All fivewon the 2021-22 College Football Playoff championship. In 2022, Georgia broke an NFL Draft record with 15 players selected, the most since the seven-round format began. Class of 2024: Top 100 Watchlist - Rivals.com The top prospects at tight end have gone quickly in the second round of the NFL draft after hanging around longer than expected on opening night. 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Commits - On3.com 126 Cleveland Browns Isaiah McGuire DE Missouri That was my first team. The Bears need more disruptiveness, particularly in the pass rush, where Pickens excels. The Tennessee quarterback had an outside chance of going in the first round, but the second round appeared the likely destination. High School Football Mayer, defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey and coach Marcus Freeman did a spoof of The Hangover, the 2009 comedy of a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas. Five FCS players have been selected. 172 New York Giants Eric Gray RB Oklahoma Keions a guy that really came on this year at Tech, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday night. 6-4 / 310. The Titans selected Levis with the 33rd overall pick. 149 Green Bay Packers Sean Clifford QB Penn State 161 Los Angeles Rams (via HOU) Nick Hampton EDGE Appalachian State The 2023 NFL Draft, held in Kansas City, begins April 27 (8 p.m., ABC) and runs through April 29. 1 the year after., STELLERS FIRST ROUNDER HONORS GEORGIA TEAMMATE. Several sports journalists have named South Carolina as having the most difficult schedule in the country in 2023.[1][2]. Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden is the first HBCU player selected in the 2023 NFL draft, going to the New England Patriots at 245 overall and the 28th pick of the seventh round. Ringo is the fifth Georgia defender drafted by the Eagles across the last two years. 29 overall to New Orleans Saints) And, now, here we are. 164 overall pick (30th pick of the fifth round), it set an NFL draft record for the most quarterbacks selected with 12 selected. By comparison Clemson has offered only 33 recruits and defending champion and top-ranked Alabama has made 87 offers. Oluwatimi is a product of Dematha Catholic High School, the same school as Chase Young and Brian Westrbook. Click or tap the links below to view the players. Iosivasholds the NCAA record for the fastest men's 60 meter time run in an indoor heptathlon. 2024 Rivals.com North Carolina Top 30 At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, Rush ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and earned an 80.3 coverage grade in 2022. 166 overall pick (32nd pick of the fifth round). Glenbard South High School: 6'2 . 128 overall pick (26 pick of the fourth round). Downs went to Indianapolis in the third round Friday night. (American Fork, UT), Bingham 1 Falcons jersey on Thursday night and wearing his No. 127 overall pick (25th pick of the fourth round) to the New Orleans Saints. Alex Harrison Viewmont (Bountiful, UT) OT. AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo breaks down all 31 first-round picks. NATL-POS 46 ST 6. ), USC plans:Healthy Luke Doty, improved run game crucial to South Carolina football moving forward, School:Trinity Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 2020 Rivals.com South Carolina Top 25 Oluwatimi is a product of Dematha Catholic High School, the same school as Chase Young and Brian Westbrook. Georgia native, Jalyn Crawford has narrowed his choice to 11 schools, and South Carolina has made the list as one his desired destinations. You know, he was injured last year, had a pretty productive career at Old Dominion then transferred in and missed part of the season last year but had a really good year this year in 22.. Green Bay Packers- QB Sean Clifford, Penn State, 154. (Woods Cross, UT), Desert HIlls I can promise the Jaguars they are going to get my all.. (AP . 77 in Pittsburgh. 2023 North Carolina HS Football Player Rankings | Prep Redzone North Carolina 2023 Rankings How are rankings determined? The Gamecocks are expected to be led by Shane Beamer in his third year as their head coach. When we returned to Carolina, he was in the middle of recovering from a tough injury, and it was uncertain whether hed return to form. The New England Patriots selected White in the second round with the No. There have been so many ups and downs during my career, but I knew if I kept working, anything was possible. ), Charlotte Observer and Hickory (NC) Daily Record covering beats including the NFLs Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, University of South Carolina athletics and the S.C. General Assembly. Pickens started the draft cycle a lot lower on many people's draft boards, but an excellent showing at the NFL combine and the senior bowl helped push Pickens to an early third-round pick. Pickens is an athletic big man with the potential to be a consistent disruptor in the league.