As the NFL Draft approaches, former South Carolina defensive backs Brandon Cisse and Jalon Kilgore are on the cusp of discovering where their professional football journeys will begin. Both athletes showcased their talents at the NFL Combine and South Carolina's Pro Day, setting the stage for the next chapter in their careers.
In recent mock drafts, NFL.com's Chad Reuter and ESPN's Field Yates have provided intriguing projections for these two promising players. Reuter envisions Cisse being selected in the second round, 55th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, while predicting Kilgore will go in the third round, 68th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yates, on the other hand, has Cisse going earlier, at 39th overall to the Cleveland Browns, highlighting the Browns' need for a cornerback to complement Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. Yates describes Cisse as a high-upside player, adept in press coverage and physical at the line of scrimmage.
Cisse turned heads at the combine with a 41-inch vertical and a 10'11" broad jump, ranking fourth among cornerbacks. His 4.4-second 40-yard dash at South Carolina's Pro Day further solidified his status as a top prospect.
During his single season with the Gamecocks, after transferring from N.C. State, Cisse recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and one interception.
His standout game against Vanderbilt featured five tackles and a forced fumble.
Kilgore also impressed with his athleticism, clocking a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.32 in the 20-yard shuttle, and achieving a 37-inch vertical and a 10'10" broad jump. His broad jump tied for first among safeties at the combine.
Over his three-year stint with South Carolina, Kilgore amassed 178 tackles, 21 pass breakups, and eight interceptions across 36 games. In his final season, he tallied 54 tackles and two interceptions.
As draft day nears, both Cisse and Kilgore are poised to make significant impacts at the next level, bringing their dynamic skills to whichever teams are fortunate enough to select them.