Several former Gamecocks had notable seasons in a memorable 2025 NFL regular season. Among them, a former first-overall pick had another strong season, while a defensive star emerged for the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, whose No. 7 jersey is retired at Williams-Brice Stadium, recorded 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in only 13 starts after joining the Dallas Cowboys last offseason. It was a productive season for the former first-overall pick in the 2014 draft, who proved he still had plenty left in the tank despite his team’s losing record.
Staying in the NFC East, two former first-round picks played starting roles for the Washington Commanders.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who was traded from the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, recorded 727 yards and five total touchdowns. On the defensive side, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw started all 17 games for the Commanders.
Cornerback Keisean Nixon started every game for the Green Bay Packers this season, recording one interception. Defensive end Kingsley Enagbare also contributed for the Packers’ defense, with two sacks and seven tackles for loss on the season.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, who spent two seasons as the Gamecocks' starter, threw for 1,586 yards and eight touchdowns on a 67.7% completion rate in nine starts. Rattler, however, was benched midseason for rookie Tyler Shough, with the Saints’ record standing at 1-7.
A number of former Gamecocks played key roles for the Carolina Panthers this year, helping the team win its first division title in 10 years.
Offensively, running back Rico Dowdle ran for 1,076 yards as the team’s primary ball carrier, recording six total touchdowns. Wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was taken in the first round of the 2024 draft, finished the season with 363 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side, cornerback Jaycee Horn, who was a first-round pick in the 2021 draft, tallied five interceptions and earned his second-career Pro Bowl nomination. Linebacker D.J. Wonnum also contributed three sacks and an interception to the Panthers’ defense in his sixth NFL season.
With regards to this year's rookie class, South Carolina had five players drafted last spring after a nine-win 2024 season, the most wins in a season under head coach Shane Beamer.
Nick Emmanwori had the most high-profile rookie campaign of any former Gamecock this season, playing a hybrid role as both linebacker and safety for the Seattle Seahawks. Emmanwori had 2.5 sacks, one interception and nine tackles for loss, playing a prominent role on a defense that ranked first in the league for points allowed.
Emmanwori’s season has drawn praise, even gaining some Defensive Rookie of the Year speculation. Elsewhere on Seattle’s defense, veteran linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams, notched 0.5 sacks and 126 tackles this season.
Defensive tackle T.J. Sanders had a quiet rookie season for the Buffalo Bills, recording one sack in two starts. Linebacker Demetrius Knight contributed three sacks and two interceptions for the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense. Defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, a fourth-round pick, was a bright spot for the Las Vegas Raiders, tallying four sacks and five tackles for loss on the season.
What’s next?
With eight teams still remaining in the NFL Playoffs, a number of former Gamecocks still have a chance to win a Super Bowl title.
On Jan. 17, Sanders and the Bills take on the Denver Broncos, who have three former Gamecocks on their roster, at 4:30 p.m. on CBS in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Emmanwori and Jones IV will be in action as the Seahawks host the 49ers at 8 p.m. on FOX.