South Carolina’s pipeline to the pros is alive and well, with four Gamecocks headed to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine later this month - and one name in particular is gaining serious traction among draft analysts: Jalon Kilgore.
The versatile defensive back has been rising on draft boards, and in a recent three-round mock draft, he was projected to go No. 57 overall in the second round to the Chicago Bears. That’s a strong vote of confidence in Kilgore’s upside, especially considering the depth of this year’s defensive back class. Meanwhile, fellow Gamecock standout Brandon Cisse, a name that’s been floated in first-round conversations for weeks, was slotted just five picks earlier at No. 52 to the Green Bay Packers.
Kilgore’s case is compelling. At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, he brings a physical presence to the secondary and a résumé that backs up the buzz.
Over three seasons in Columbia, he racked up 178 total tackles, broke up 21 passes, and picked off eight more across 36 games. That kind of production - particularly his ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball - has NFL scouts paying close attention.
In his final season with the Gamecocks, Kilgore notched 54 tackles and two interceptions, earning second-team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches. That recognition says a lot, especially in a conference loaded with future NFL talent. He wasn’t just a contributor - he was a difference-maker on a weekly basis.
Kilgore’s pre-draft journey has already taken him to the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where he competed alongside teammates Nick Barrett and Rahsul Faison. That trio, along with Cisse, will now look to boost their stock even further at the Combine. For Kilgore, it’s another chance to showcase his instincts, athleticism, and football IQ in front of decision-makers from all 32 teams.
His rise has been steady ever since he arrived in Columbia as part of the 2023 recruiting class. Coming out of Putnam County High School in Eatonton, Georgia, Kilgore was rated the No. 225 overall player in the country and the No. 18 safety, per 247Sports.
He also ranked as the No. 23 prospect in the state of Georgia - a hotbed for SEC talent. Now, just three years later, he’s positioned to become the next Gamecock to hear his name called on draft night.
And the Kilgore name isn’t done in Columbia just yet. His younger brother, Gerald, is entering his third year in the program, also playing safety. If Jalon’s trajectory is any indication, the Gamecocks may have another difference-maker in the making.
For now, all eyes turn to Indianapolis, where Kilgore and his teammates will look to solidify their draft stock. With his combination of size, production, and experience, Kilgore has a real shot to make an early impact at the next level - and the Bears, or whichever team lands him, could be getting a steal.