Three South Carolina Gamecocks are suiting up for one of the biggest pre-draft showcases in college football: the Panini Senior Bowl. Set for Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Alabama, this all-star game is more than just a final college outing-it's a proving ground for NFL hopefuls.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network, and for Jalon Kilgore, Nick Barrett, and Rahsul Faison, it’s a golden opportunity to raise their stock in front of scouts, coaches, and general managers from across the league.
Jalon Kilgore: A Versatile Defensive Back Making Noise
Jalon Kilgore, who’ll be wearing No. 23 for the American Team, enters the Senior Bowl fresh off a strong three-year stint with the Gamecocks. At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, Kilgore brings size, physicality, and a high football IQ to the secondary-traits that have helped him rack up 178 total tackles, 21 pass breakups, and eight interceptions across 36 games.
This past season, Kilgore posted 54 tackles and picked off two passes, but it’s his versatility that’s catching eyes in Mobile. During 7-on-7 drills earlier this week, Kilgore flashed his ability to operate as a nickel defender-showing clean transitions in coverage, smart communication in passing off assignments, and the kind of closing speed that makes quarterbacks think twice.
Plays like those are exactly what evaluators want to see in this setting. Kilgore isn’t just showing he can play-he’s showing he can adapt and thrive in multiple roles.
Rahsul Faison: A One-Year Impact Player Looking to Impress
Rahsul Faison may have only spent one season at South Carolina after transferring from Utah State, but he made the most of it. The running back logged 470 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 96 carries, while also adding 19 catches for 118 yards through the air. That dual-threat ability is going to be key for him in this pre-draft process.
Faison’s best outing came in a win over Vanderbilt, where he powered his way to 74 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He showed good vision and burst, and his ability to contribute in the passing game gives him added value in today’s NFL, where backs are expected to catch just as much as they run. While his jersey number for the Senior Bowl hasn't been confirmed, he’ll be one to watch when the American Team takes the field.
Nick Barrett: A Steady Force in the Trenches
Defensive tackle Nick Barrett, wearing No. 93, quietly put together a strong final campaign for the Gamecocks. He totaled 42 tackles, including 27 solo stops, and added two sacks and a pass breakup to his resume.
Barrett showed a knack for making plays in big games, putting up five tackles against both Alabama and Vanderbilt. But his standout performance came against Missouri, where he notched six total tackles and consistently disrupted the pocket.
Barrett’s strength at the point of attack and ability to anchor against the run will be under the microscope in Mobile. The Senior Bowl practices are notoriously physical in the trenches, and it’s where interior linemen can really separate themselves. Barrett has the tools-now it’s about showing he can compete against some of the best draft-eligible linemen in the country.
What’s at Stake
For Kilgore, Faison, and Barrett, Saturday’s game is more than just a showcase-it’s a job interview on live television. The Senior Bowl has a long history of helping players boost their draft stock, and a strong week in Mobile can be the difference between a late-round flyer and a mid-round investment.
These three Gamecocks are already turning heads in practice. Now, with the lights on and the scouts watching, they’ll look to make one final statement before the NFL Draft process kicks into high gear.