The NFL draft has concluded, and three Gamecocks have found new homes.
Junior defensive back Brandon Cisse was taken off the board first in the second round at pick 52 to the Green Bay Packers. Cisse started his career at NC State, where he spent the first two years of his college career. In his three seasons, he’s had 65 tackles and 10 pass breakups.
He also becomes the 24th cornerback drafted to the NFL since the Gamecocks joined the SEC. He’ll join two other former Gamecocks on the Packers in cornerback Keisean Nixon and running back MarShawn Lloyd.
Three rounds later, Nick Barrett was drafted to the Chargers in the fifth round at pick 145.
Barrett spent all five years as a Gamecock, leading the defensive linemen in tackles this season with 42. He was also recognized as the co-Most Outstanding Senior and earned the coaches’ Strength & Conditioning Award.
Barrett joins two former Gamecocks in linebacker Kyle Kennard, who was drafted last year by the Chargers, and wide receiver Dalevon Campbell.
Later in the same round, defensive back Jalon Kilgore was drafted to the Bills at pick 167. Kilgore started all three of his seasons as a Gamecock, recording 178 tackles and eight interceptions.
This season, he finished fourth in tackles with 54 and led in pass breakups with 10. Kilgore was also named a Rex Enright team captain, won co-Joe Morrison MVP and earned second team on the 2025 coaches’ All-SEC Team.
Kilgore will join his former teammate defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, who drafted in the second round of last year’s draft.